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Wednesday, October 1, 2014 Penticton Western News
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Minister says jail won’t create more police work Politicians requesting more RCMP staff to relieve pressures Joe Fries
Western News Staff
B.C.’s justice minister disagrees with South Okanagan politicians about the imminent need for more police to help manage a heavier workload expected to come with the new jail in Oliver. “We don’t have the resources to take on a whole lot more than what we have,” said Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes, who believes his town’s RCMP detachment will handle most files at the jail simply because it’s closest. “There’s no catastrophic threat to our communities… but we know that today in
our detachment, (officers) are all working full out, and I don’t want to have anything diminish what they’re doing.” Hovanes and counterparts from the City of Penticton and Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen discussed the matter with Justice Minister Suzanne Anton last week at the Union of B.C. Municipalities conference. An RDOS briefing note prepared for Anton ends with a request for two additional Mounties in the South Okanagan beginning in the 2015-16 financial year. “It is anticipated that an influx of approximately 1,000 construction workers over the ensuing two years followed by a permanent increase in population between the provincial jail employees, inmates and civilian spin-off will add to the pressure on current RCMP resources,” the note states. It adds that the eight-member Oliver detachment — which is funded by the B.C.
government since the town’s population is under 5,000 — is already “fully engaged,” and “there is a legitimate concern that the increase in population associated to the construction and staffing of the jail will adversely impact this.” The note states that besides looking after criminal files generated at the jail, local Mounties may also be called upon to fingerprint, photograph and interview inmates on behalf of police outside the region. All told, however, the justice minister doesn’t believe the jail will create extra police work. “We do not anticipate increased pressure on local police resources as the new Okanagan Correctional Centre is built and becomes operational,” Anton said in a statement. “That said, our government continually monitors policing resources, and this includes collaborating with communities and
the RCMP to ensure adequate, effective policing in smaller communities like Oliver that are served by provincial detachments.” Anton also noted the new jail “will reduce pressure on local police lockups,” and that “addressing crime isn’t just about officer numbers — integrated policing, engaged citizens, new laws and other initiatives have all contributed to B.C.’s lowest crime rate in decades.” RCMP Supt. Kevin Hewco, who oversees all detachments in the region, said the request for two officers was meant as a budget placeholder based on Mounties’ experience with the jail in Kamloops, and that he’ll collect “more definitive, empirical evidence” in the months ahead to justify that claim. Construction of the 378-cell jail is underway, with the first inmates expected at the $193-million facility, located on Osoyoos Indian Band land, in 2016.
Police watchdog investigates complaint at Penticton detachment Joe Fries
Western News Staff
The province’s police watchdog has issued a report to Crown counsel after investigating a woman’s claim her arm was injured by a Penticton RCMP officer. The Independent Investigations Office said in a news release Friday the woman alleged she suffered the injury while in the custody of Mounties here on April 8, 2014. The matter was turned over to the IIO following an initial investigation by the RCMP.
Have your say at the Cherry Lane Mall Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 - 10 am to 2 pm SS Sicamous Area Master Plan - We have heard from the marine heritage buffs, waterfront enthusiasts, and everyone in between on what should be done with the waterfront and park areas around the SS Sicamous. From this we have developed some concept plans that reflect what we have heard. We are now ready to finalize the concept plan for the SS Sicamous area prior to presenting to Council. City of Penticton staff will be on hand to present the concepts, speak about the plans and receive your input. For more information about this project and to take part in our survey visit: www.penticton.ca/ waterfront. Public notice of a structural change to a primary liquor licence Public notice is hereby given that an application has been made for a Structural Change to a Primary Liquor Licence located at 1035 Westminster Ave. W., Penticton, B.C. Local government support including public consultation is required by the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch prior
“In this case, standard investigative activities were conducted including interviews, identification of witnesses and a review of the medical records related to the affected person,” the IIO said. The release noted, however, that the IIO does not recommend charges; it simply sends a report to Crown counsel, which makes a decision on criminal charges based on the likelihood of conviction and whether prosecution is in the public interest. Crown counsel spokesman Neil MacKenzie did not respond to a request for comment. Penticton RCMP spokesman Sgt. Rick Dellebuur declined comment since the matter is now in
to authorizing the amendment request. The owners of Sun Country Lanes have made application for a Structural Change to their Primary Liquor Licence with proposed hours of operation from Sunday to Saturday (11:00am to 11:00pm). Public consultation is required for Local government support as per Liquor Control Licensing Branch regulations. Any public comments as a result of the public notice process will be complied and forwarded to Council, along with final comments from the City’s Liquor Licence Technical Review Committee (LLTRC) for the Monday, October 6, 2014 Regular Council meeting. At that time, a full report with final recommendations will be brought forward for Council’s consideration. Any person who wishes to comment on the proposed application may appear in person, or by agent, at the 6:00pm Council meeting. Submissions or written comments will be received no later than 12:00 p.m. noon on Friday, October 3, 2014 attention to the Building & Permitting Manager. Those persons with special hearing, language or access needs should contact City Hall at 250-490-2400 prior to the meeting.
the hands of the Crown. The civilian-led IIO, which was created in 2012, has twice before looked into matters handled by the Penticton RCMP. The first was in September 2012 when a suicidal woman was injured in a fall from a balcony in the presence of Mounties. The IIO did an initial investigation, but did not issue a report to Crown counsel since its staff did not link the woman’s injuries to officers’ actions. The second incident was in May 2013, after a motorcyclist died while fleeing from police on Eastside Road. The IIO later ruled that officers’ actions did not contribute to the crash.
A copy of the proposed amendment may be inspected at the offices of the Building and Permitting Manager, located on the 1st floor at 171 Main Street between 8:30am and 4:30pm Monday to Friday, excluding holidays, up to and including Monday, October 6, 2014. Public hearing A Public Hearing will be held at 6:00 p.m. Monday, October 6, 2014 at Penticton City Hall, 171 Main Street, Penticton, BC to consider Zoning Amendment Bylaw 201440 to amend Zoning Bylaw 2011-23 as follows: Zoning Amendment Bylaw Amendment 2014-40 [801 Ontario Street]: Rezone Lot 1, District Lot 249, Similkameen Division Yale District, Plan 4423, located at 801 Ontario Street, from R2 (Small Lot Residential) to RM2 (Low Density Multiple Housing). Add to Section 10.8 RM2-Low Density Multiple Housing, subsection 10.8.4 Site Specific Provisions; .1 In the case of Lot 1, District Lot 249, Similkameen Division Yale District, Plan 4423, located at 801 Ontario Street, ‘duplex’ shall be permitted. The applicant intends to construct two side-
by-side duplexes, one fronting Ontario Street and the other facing the lane (total of four dwelling units). Any person whose interest may be affected by Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2014-40 may appear in person, by petition or by attorney. Delegations and Submissions will be received no later than 9:30 am, Monday, October 6, 2014 to Attention: Corporate Officer, City of Penticton, 171 Main Street, Penticton, BC V2A 5A9; Email: publichearings@penticton.ca . No letter, report or representation from the public will be received by Council after the conclusion of the Public Hearing. Please note that all submissions are a matter of public record. Those persons with special hearing, language or access needs should contact City Hall at 250-490-2400 prior to the meeting. The above-mentioned bylaw and supporting information will be available for public inspection up to and including Monday, October 6, 2014 at the following locations during hours of operation: Development Services and Corporate Administration (City Hall,171 Main St.), Penticton Public Library (785 Main Street) and the Penticton Community Centre (325 Power St.); or online at http://www.penticton.ca/EN/meta/citynews/latest-news.html.