A man who threw a brick at a woman in Nanaimo is back in the spotlight after another attack, and residents say they’re perplexed why serious offenders aren’t held accountable for their actions.
According to the Nanaimo Area Public Safety Association [NAPSA], Aiden Tye has committed multiple attacks on people in the downtown core since 2005, and they feel nothing has been done to rehabilitate him or provide justice for the victims.
Vice president Kevan Shaw says in a media release these situations are getting out of control and the government needs to step up and be held accountable.
“It’s horrendous that a Nanaimo woman has, once again, been involved in yet more serious, and violent assaults, on law-biding citizens,” he says. “We demand to know why the provincial government and our justice system aren’t protecting us.”
According to the CSO website, Tye has been convicted of multiple offenses dating back to 2005.
The NASPA says this includes an incident where he threw a brick at a pregnant lady and most recently where he attacked someone on Commercial Street.
One year ago, while in Nanaimo, the premier announced two programs designed to address specific repeat offenders and keep the public safe, but Shaw says they aren’t happening and offenders like Tye are being left to the streets to wreak havoc and re-offend without consequences.
“The government, justice, and mental health services aren’t protecting law-abiding, hard-working, everyday citizens,” he says. “Tye is being left to walk amongst us and create seemingly endless havoc and violence.
“When will the government protect us, and not with words from the premier?”
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth says in an email that law enforcement is doing the best it can and the government will continue to make sure communities are safe.
“People deserve to be safe when they’re out in their communities,” Farnworth says. “I’m glad to see that this individual was swiftly apprehended by police and is facing new charges for what took place.
“People who commit crimes against others in their communities should expect to face the full extent of the law.”
Farnworth adds the ReVOII program announced a year ago in Nanaimo has already had significant impacts throughout the province including in Prince George and in Surrey.
“A man in Prince George found himself in a cycle of being released and then back in custody,” Farnworth says. “Through the ReVOII system he now has the help he needs to stay on medication and live a better life.”
According to Farnworth, when he was in prison the man would get proper meds but on release, he [the Prince George man] couldn’t go into the pharmacy, because a previous arrest would have him re-arrested.
Farnworth adds all these issues are challenging and but the government is working on providing results.
“These are very challenging issues that are being faced by downtowns across North America,” he says. “We’re committed to facing them head-on and addressing the root causes to ensure the safety and strength of our communities.”
Premier David Eby addressed the issue in Courtenay on Tuesday saying these issues are being addressed, and sentences will now be issued on the bigger picture rather than on each individual case.
“These offenses were serious, not only to the victim, but also the courts,” Eby says. “The whole file wasn’t in front of the courts, so it seemed like an isolated incident, and it was being treated that way.
“We’ve great success in tracking them to make sure the full record is visible, and offenders are held in custody while they await trials instead of being released, but it is not a perfect system.”
Eby said in a previous interview in May that he understands the causes raised by community groups and adds working collaboratively will help resolve the issue.
“My understanding is that we share a common concern,” Eby said. “Every part of our community should be safe, and comfortable while they visit their downtown.
“When we’re doing things like opening supportive housing, asking for support for police to do challenging work around dealing with public drug use and that’s where I think these groups can be helpful.”
There has been no comment yet from attorney general, Niki Sharma, on why repeat offenders are being released after committing over 100 crimes.
According to the BC Prosecution Service, a seven-week study was done from Nov. 2022 to Mar. 2023 which showed an average of 24 per cent of violent offenders were released back on the streets while 10 per cent were held in custody.
