Mayor Locke slams release of two high-risk offenders into Surrey
SURREY Mayor Brenda Locke said in a statement on Tuesday that it was “completely unacceptable” to have two high-risk offenders released into Surrey in just two days. She said: “According to public warnings issued by the Surrey Police Service, both Jonathon Anders Muzychka and Skylar Wayne Pelletier, designated high-risk offenders with histories of serious violent […]
SURREY Mayor Brenda Locke said in a statement on Tuesday that it was “completely unacceptable” to have two high-risk offenders released into Surrey in just two days.
She said: “According to public warnings issued by the Surrey Police Service, both Jonathon Anders Muzychka and Skylar Wayne Pelletier, designated high-risk offenders with histories of serious violent offences, will be residing in our community.
“The fact that both individuals are subject to extensive court-ordered conditions, electronic monitoring, curfews and ongoing police oversight underscores the risk authorities believe they pose.
“This is completely unacceptable and we need to do better.
“Surrey is home to more than 700,000 people, including families, children and seniors. Yet once again, our city is being forced to accommodate individuals who present a significant risk to public safety.
“While I support rehabilitation and recognize that successful reintegration must be part of our justice system, communities should not be expected to bear an unfair burden when it comes to housing offenders who pose a significant risk to the public. Muzychka and Pelletier are not welcome in Surrey.
“Residents have every right to question why Surrey continues to be selected for these placements. Responsibility for managing high-risk offenders must be shared fairly across jurisdictions, rather than concentrated in a single community.
“I am calling on the federal Minister of Justice to deliver concrete action to strengthen public protections and ensure communities like Surrey do not bear an undue burden in managing high-risk offenders. Surrey residents deserve accountability and results. Their safety must be the overriding priority.”