– Vehicle thefts in 2006 sparked formation of group –

(OSOYOOS TIMES — March 21, 2007) –

By Julie TurnerrnOsoyoos Times

Fed up with the crime touching their community, a group of concerned citizens formed a neighbourhood network last summer to assist RCMP with tips and eyewitness reports, and to keep tabs on the crimes and criminals affecting the area.
It also hopes to bring about positive changes to the justice system, including closing some loopholes and making sure repeat criminals get the help they need to stay out of trouble.
Ever since the summer of 2006, the number of car thefts and other crimes increased in the West Boundary, with a couple of persons known to the police doing all the stealing, says Wolfgang Schmidt, a group member who lives in Bridesville.
The group sprang out of a meeting initiated by the local Lions Club, who met to discuss community concerns about the crimes being committed in the area. Schmidt says approximately 15 people have joined the West Boundary Court Watch group.
What some people don't realize is the effect crime has on an entire community. There's an emotional impact. People lock their doors. They get concerned about their neighbourhoods and about becoming a victim, Schmidt explains. He adds crime sprees create a sort of vigilantism in a community.
We are hearing from the community things like 'We'll probably have to get our shotguns by the door' and things like this, which is unfortunate. They feel if the justice system can't protect them, they will have to protect themselves. This is what we don't want to see happen.
Of particular interest to West Boundary Court Watch has been the recent trial of Michael Ellis, who was acquitted January 31 on several charges from Osoyoos involving stolen property, dangerous driving and evading police (See story on Page 1 of the Feb. 28 Osoyoos Times).
He faces more charges of theft over $5,000, possession of stolen property over $5,000 and possession of a dangerous weapon from incidents he is allegedly responsible for in Trail and Bridesville last year. Michael Ellis is still in custody and is awaiting a court appearance in Penticton, set for March 19.
His brother, Christopher Ellis, faces a March 26 court date. He is currently in jail for a string of alleged offences committed near Oliver in January, ranging from kidnapping and robbery to dangerous driving and possession of stolen property.
West Boundary Court Watch received some seed funding from a couple of community organizations to help with training, preparation and identification badges, which members wear when attending court. A former RCMP staff sergeant has trained the members in court procedures and advised them on how to read court dockets.
The West Boundary Court Watch is keeping an eye on accused, judges, lawyers and the Crown, to issue a report and maybe have an effect on the 'revolving door', which, according to the police and the media, is in front of every court.rnIn addition to working with police and networking to share information within the community and with other court watch groups, a few of the members are committed to attending court when local cases are tried. The group also publishes a crime watch newsletter, with information gathered from the police, the community and the media, Schmidt says. They finance their own travel to Grand Forks Provincial Court, and also arrange carpools to travel to Penticton, Rossland and Nelson when necessary.
By following cases through the courts, Schmidt says the members get to know the faces of the perpetrators. Key is the criminals we see in court have to know we know their faces; we are watching. We are interested.
Westbridge resident Mary Lautard says the judges, court staff, sheriffs and lawyers acknowledge the group and will answer questions or explain proceedings during court breaks. Most hours are long, routine and unremarkable “ not like TV, she adds.
Schmidt says the Crown counsel and others treat the court watch group very well, acknowledging them in court and telling members they appreciate the community involvement.
Schmidt says West Boundary Court Watch is concerned with local crimes, and he encourages other concerned citizens to educate themselves and to form court watch groups in their own areas. Because of some of the publicity West Boundary Court Watch has already received, a Grand Forks group may form soon. Schmidt advises individuals to organize, schedule themselves and learn about the court system.
As much as the group is committed to attending court, Schmidt admits it can be a frustrating, expensive and time-consuming exercise, with delays pushing court dates ahead several times. He says the court watch group is already disappointed with the court system, as it costs a lot of money to set up a court date and more often than not, nothing happens other than paper shuffling, which could easily be done administratively.
This week, the Penticton Provincial Court had both Ellis brothers on the docket. [We] had sent a representative and witnessed a docket list with 85 files. How many cases were completed? A half-dozen at most.
Schmidt says he is amazed how many 'invited' people don't show up for their day in court as some people ignore their warrants. Nevertheless, he says a representative from the West Boundary Court Watch will continue to follow the Ellis brothers through their numerous court appearances, and the group is making notes to share with the Attorney General, who is already listening to reform ideas from the Chief Justice.rnSchmidt is hopeful that with the current federal government proclaiming to get tougher on crime, there might be a change in the wind. He hopes to see changes to fix the court's perceived 'revolving door' and to ensure convicted criminals serve their full sentences.
He says he is shocked by the long list of crimes being committed by only a few individuals, and adds it possibly points to a lack of treatment within the system to minimize the risk individuals will re-offend. Schmidt says his next project is to talk to counsellors and others in related services, to see what can be done to prevent the same individuals from returning to crime.
If they're stealing to support a drug habit, are they receiving the treatment they need to get off drugs? There should be a social safety net that catches them after they're released, to get them on the right road again and stay clean.rnAt the end of the year, the West Boundary Court Watch plans to prepare a report based on observations and data collected on its experiences in provincial court, which it will share with the Chief Justice and Attorney General, who Schmidt says have expressed concern about the loopholes in the system.
We will be reporting on what we feel, as observers and citizens, the court system should do or change, he says.