THE FREE PRESS REGIONAL JUNE 6, 1996 B9 Fort St. James looks at community sentencing By LEAH BLAIN Cariboo News Service Young offenders in Fort St. James may soon find themselves fixing, cleaning and handing over their allowance instead of facing a judge. The mayor and council, in conjunction with the RCMP, are planning to implement a program where young offenders will pay restitution to the victims instead of going through the court system. In this system, which they hope to have in place by the fall of this year, young offenders, in particular first time offenders, will be ‘sentenced’ by a panel. Mayor Sandra Harwood says this system will not only relieve the overtaxed court system, it will give the victims a sense of restitution. “1 think it’s a great system. The people in the community would have input. There is a screened - heavily screened panel made up of members of the community, an RCMP officer, whoever is investigating, the victim, and a lawyer are followed.” The sentences that the “I think itys a great system. The people in the community would have input. ” Sandra Harwood panel gives will be geared to helping the victim: if property is damaged, the culprit will fix it; if things are stolen, the thief will repay it. The idea for this system was inspired by the Village of Sparwood, B.C. Located in the province’s southeastern corner, Sparwood has made a name for itself with this approach to dealing with youth crime. The town has seen a dramatic decrease in crime: in 1995 there were 60 offenses com- mitted by the youth; so far this year there have been four. And this system could not have a more enthusiastic proponent than Sparwood’s mayor, Toto Miller. “1 don’t want to say this is Heaven., but we pull together. The system does work. If you have a problem with a kid, you drive him home (to get parents involved),” says Mayor Miller. The local RCMP are also embracing this system which works around the current judiciary process. “I think it has a lot of merit. It can work well with certain individuals. It’s very feasible to implement,” says Corporal Blair Imrie. But he says it would not be effective for repeat offenders or anyone who is “bent on a life of crime.” Liberal MLA Paul Nettleton is also applauding the innovative approach the mayor and council are taking. Mr. Nettleton, who has worked for the past few years as a criminal lawyer, says that he is in favour of community involvement in dealing with young offenders. UNRESERVED CAR & TRUCK AUCTION 10 am sharp! - Saturday, June 15th APPROXIMATELY 30 UNRESERVED GOVERNMENT & CANADIAN NATIONAL VEHICLES 1993 1990 1990 1989 1987 1987 1987 1987 1988 Ford Explorer Ford Aerostar GMC 4X4 GMC 4X4 Chev. 3/4 4X4 GMC 4X4 PU GMC Van Ford 4X4 PU GMC 4X4 PU 1988 GMC 4X4 PU 1988 GMC 2wd PU 1988 GMC 4X4 PU 1988 Ford 2wd PU 1988 GMC 2wd PU 1988 GMC Chev CLBTY 1988 GMC 2wd PU 1988 GMC 2wd PU 1988 GMC 4X4 PU 1988 GMC C/C 4X4 1988 GMC C/C 2 Wl/Dr 1988 Ford cargo van 1988 Ford 1/2 ton 1986 Chev. C/C 4X4 1986 Ford 5 ton 1982 Chev. 4X4 1 ton Immediately following the Auction of the Unreserved Vehicles we will sell Approx. 170 USED CARS, TRUCKS & VANS from Major Fleet, Lease and Financial Institutions, Dealers and Private Consignors. AUCTIONEERS NOTE: This is probably the best selection of cars & trucks offered this spring. The majority of these vehicles have been c maintenance program, and are ready for use. plan to be on hand to bid on approx. 200 vehicles. SEE YOU ON SALE DAY! Terms of Sale. Cash. Certified Cheque. Letter of Credit. All vehicles must be settled for on day of sale "D