'Everyone deserves a second chance': West Shore RCMP highlight successes with restorative justice program
If you do a bad thing, it doesn't make you a bad person. That's the message behind a program on the West Shore that is taking a compassionate approach to criminal justice, while saving time and money for the courts.
Liquor Planet in Langford is just one business involved in the program. Manager Wyatt Oickle says it’s not unusual for people to steal from the family-owned business, saying it’s like stealing from his family every time it happens.
That’s until one woman swiped an expensive bottle of vodka.
“She was an addict and wanted to just kind of fulfill her needs," says Oickle.
He knows she’s an addict because he got to sit down with her through the West Shore RCMP’s restorative justice program. Instead of pressing charges, victims can push for community service.
"They just make a one-time bad decision is how we look at it. And now we can set them back on the right track," says program coordinator Randie Johal.
“We believe everyone deserves a second chance, especially when it’s of a minor nature.”
This year alone the program has already helped divert 24 people from the courts, like two teens caught spray-painting around Starlight Stadium.
"It was a completely boneheaded move and they admitted it, too," said one of the teen's parents.
The teens wrote apology letters, paid a fine, and did park cleanups to repay their debts.
“I guarantee you, they’re not going to be doing that again," added the parent. “That would just be horrible for such a stupid minor offence to have that affect the rest of your life.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.