VIDEO: Kelowna Mayor welcomes provincial review into prolific offenders

Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran welcomes a new effort to chart a new course on how to deal with the "revolving door" justice problem.

In his role as co-chair of the Urban Mayors' Caucus, Basran has been pushing for new approaches to deal with prolific offenders and the province is taking steps in that direction.

Two experts have been hired to conduct an investigation and report back in 120 days.

"As the mayors of B.C.'s large urban cities, we are at ground zero of hearing the frustration and seeing the consequential impacts that repeat property offenders are having on our communities, local businesses and residents' sense of safety," said Basran.

"We are pleased to see the quick action by the Province in responding to the caucus's concerns.

We are hopeful that the work of this report will be a catalyst for improved integration of health and justice, and offer meaningful solutions that build up the public's confidence in the administration of justice."

The investigation and recommendations will be completed by former Vancouver Police Department deputy chief Doug LePard and health researcher and criminologist Amanda Butler.

BC Attorney General David Eby began the news conference saying that despite the empathy behind the plans, the behaviour of prolific offenders can not be allowed to continue.

"Simply because we are compassionate, concerned and taking action on mental health and addiction issues does not mean that we have to accept criminal behaviour, vandalism or violence in our communities," said Eby.

Last month Basran and Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps, co-authored a letter on behalf of BC Cities demanding action.

Despite an overall decrease in crime rates, shifting crime patterns are particularly hurting downtown retail areas.

A written report with recommendations will be prepared as part of the investigation and released publicly in early fall, but some recommendations could be adopted earlier than that.