July 13, 2021 - 4:50 PM
As the B.C. Liberal’s housing critic, Kelowna West MLA Ben Stewart has travelled the province hearing more and more concerns about the fact that people arrested for serious crimes are left to go back onto the streets while they wait for their trails.
But the attempt by a West Kelowna man to light a forest fire last weekend was a step to far for him.
That prompted him to send a letter to Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth, and copied to Attorney General David Eby, demanding changes.
“There is a big disconnect between the justice system and the people that are enforcing the law trying to keep our communities safe and free of crime,” Stewart told iNFOnews.ca today, July 13. “The citizens think, maybe it’s the police. I think the government has to wake up and get tough on this stuff, because if they don’t, they’re basically hamstringing the police officers that are expected to prevent crime or make certain the public is protected.”