By Leslie Cholowsky, Editor
Every day we receive emails from the Alberta RCMP, providing details on incidents throughout the province.
Often what stands out most is the effort put forward by the RCMP to arrest criminals that sometimes leads to a slap on the wrist and “released on conditions.” Even if the person arrested is already ‘on conditions’ awaiting trial.
But if anything demonstrated the need for immediate bail reform, it was a report made last week, at least to my way of thinking.
In Grande Prairie, on March 21, an attempted abduction occurred.
An unknown male followed a 10-year-old female, who was walking down the road.
When she noticed the man following her, she made a quick decision to approach a friend’s home. Luckily they were home and let her in.
The suspect followed her right to the door, knocked, and tried to convince the homeowner to have the victim come outside, saying she was his sister. He then tried to force the door open, and was pushed out.
Grande Prairie RCMP arrested a 50-year-old man the next day, less than 24 hours later, charging him with abduction of a person under 14-years-old, and mischief under $5,000.
But then a Justice released him on conditions, pending his court date on April 8.
Whether or not a suspect is remanded into custody seems arbitrary.
You’d think an attempted abduction would automatically make you ineligible for bail.
Imagine being that 10-year-old girl, and her family, knowing that the man is still out there, and still able to target her, or other young girls.
Imagine being any parent of a young female in Grande Prairie right now. Would you feel safe knowing this person is out and about? Knowing that he is free to try this on another person, young or old?
Imagine a bail system so ineffectual that it doesn’t protect that 10-year-old from this happening again, perhaps at a time or place where there won’t be a safe place to run to.
News reports from the local newspaper report the girl as traumatized. “She wakes up crying and clings to her parents in fear.”
Her parents would like to leave the city, but don’t have the means to just pick up and leave on a dime.
Meanwhile the suspect walks around, a free man, free to terrorize anyone else.
Maybe when he shows up to court he’ll receive something more than a slap on the wrist, or maybe he’ll just go free.
In this case, the police did everything they were supposed to do, quickly and effectively, and I imagine that they, the victim and her family, were just as disappointed as I with the result.
Proposed last October, Bill C-14 the “Bail and Sentencing Reform Act” needs to move faster through the system. According to Canada’s Department of Justice, “When considering whether to grant bail, the amendments would direct police not to release an accused when it is against the public interest or when detention is needed to protect victims, or witnesses.”
I can’t wait. I hope that all MP’s will see the value of immediately passing this bill, regardless of their politics.
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