Police in Kelowna are warning the public about the release of prolific offender Justin Wayne Collins
Police in Kelowna have taken the extraordinary step of warning the public about the release of a prolific offender.
RCMP say they arrested Justin Wayne Collins, 45, on Sunday for assault, disorderly conduct, theft of mail and violation of probation. The following day he appeared before the courts and was released on parole.
Online records show he was released by BC Provincial Court Judge Andrew Tam. While Judge Tam appears to feel that Collins’ release can be tempered with conditions, the Kelowna RCMP now publicly disagrees.
In a news release Tuesday, Kelowna RCMP say Collins has no fixed address and is ineligible for supportive housing. And while he is connected to community health services, he doesn’t access them consistently and “shows no signs of getting healthier in the community.”
Collins has had 421 police files and 64 charges against him since 2016, including assault, robbery, theft, disorderly conduct and indecent acts.
The RCMP said Tuesday that Collins’ presence “in your business or neighborhood creates a substantial public safety concern.”
While there are many court-imposed conditions on Collins, police say he has blatantly ignored them in the past and shows no respect for the justice system.
Police are asking the public to call them immediately if Collins violates the “unsafe spaces” law in your neighborhood “as we will respond to bring this repeat offender back to justice.”
Kelowna RCMP commander Min. Kara Triance renewed her criticism of the “catch and free” justice system recently after a StatsCanada report saw the Central Okanagan record the highest crime rate in the country among medium and large cities.
“Kelowna RCMP continue to make arrests and bring Justin Collins to justice, yet without adequate consequences or mandatory pathways to mental health and substance use programs, our public is at risk. Justin Collins is a repeat offender who has no regard for the safety and well-being of others,” Trains said.
Last week, the BC NDP leadership candidate and first-timer to be BC’s next premier suggested that mandatory or involuntary mental health and addictions care be implemented in the province.
