EARLY BIRD SPECIAL
Bike tracks Region looks at future of cycling networks Page A3
5:00 - 6:30 pm
NEWS: Business owner proposes $13B refinery /A4 SPORTS: Layritz loses at softball World Series /A16 BUSINESS: Uptown construction nears end /A22
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Dinner for Two Would you prefer your sushi with brown or white rice?
VICTORIANEWS VICTORIA Wednesday, August 22, 2012
1619 Store St. 250.386.9121
Japanese Restaurant
Proudly serving Esquimalt & Victoria
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Keeping tabs on high-risk offenders Erin McCracken News staff
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Like clockwork, Det.-Const. Shawn Robson’s smartphone beeps every few minutes, alerting him to a newly arrived email in need of his attention. Sitting at his desk in the Victoria Police Department’s intelligence section, the plainclothes officer mans two phone lines and two computer monitors connecting him to a network of contacts. This web helps him keep tabs on people living in Victoria who have committed terrible acts of violence in their pasts. “My Blackberry doesn’t stop,” Robson said. It’s indicative of the workload that comes with his job as the department’s lone high-risk offender officer. There are upwards of 300 convicted offenders who have been released and are now living in the Capital Region, a high number for the population size, Robson said. He monitors about 50 individuals deemed a high risk to reoffend. Some have sexually abused children and some have committed murder or other violent acts, while others have a history as prolific drug dealers. “It’s basically the top 50 that make me lose sleep at night,” he said.
Kennel master Lisa West holds adoptable cat Boots while Cleo snoozes in the foreground at the SPCA on Napier Lane. From Aug. 23 to 25, those wishing to purchase an adult cat can name their own adoption fee. All of the usual adoption criteria must be met to make sure the animals find their perfect homes. There are currently more than 100 adoptable cats at the SPCA.
PLEASE SEE: Police officer, Page A9
Sharon Tiffin/News staff
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