Bancroft is among the municipalities in Ontario calling for a stronger justice system.
By that, it means one that works to prevent offenders from continuously being released, re-charged and locked up again.
Council recently passed a vote to call on senior governments to improve what some municipalities are calling a “catch and release” system.
Mayor Paul Jenkins said the motion was to support Bancroft OPP officers, who, he says, often charge the same people over and over again.
“It’s demoralizing for them. At some point they probably go, ‘oh forget it, nothing happens.’” And it’s expensive for municipalities, because it drives up our policing costs.”
The movement of municipalities calling for reforms started with a motion passed by Midland council in September. Other municipalities, such as Cobourg and North Perth, have since passed similar motions.
Catch and release 11-20-23 on air