Ten percent of the population is creating more than half of the reported crime within the Lake City according to the Mayor.
Walt Cobb says prolific offenders continue to remain a serious issue.
“Part of the issue with them is that many of them have a mental illness as well.”
“There is some work being done to try and get some kind of evaluation so that we know that if we’re picking up these people from time and time again and if they have a mental illness and what, not they can get the treatment that they need so that we’re not dealing with them through the RCMP because that’s not the right place for them.”
Cobb adds the issue has become a huge burden for not just the RCMP but also taxpayers.
“When you look at people being incarcerated I think it runs around $88,000 a year to look after one person that’s incarcerated; $215.00 a day is what it amounts to and it’s a huge cost,” he says.
“Many of these prolific offenders, in many cases yes they’re breaking an entry, they’re car thefts and what not which is also serious but there are other serious crimes out there that need to be dealt with as well.”
“If we can get the treatment needed for those people that are in need, I think it’s a far better dollar spent to get them treated than to put them continually in jail.”
Cobb encourages the community to reach out to the City if they are aware of any issues or have concerns.
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