Skip to content

Letter: Crime exposed

It’s up to the judges to petition the supreme court to initiate change
web1_PWN-T-Letters-660
Penticton Western News letters to the editor.

Crime exposed

I currently follow a Facebook group called “Penticton all crime exposed.” There was an article regarding a cocaine dealer who received 90 days in jail for possession for the purpose of trafficking (he had about $1,700 worth of cocaine). Why the light sentence? Because he was co-operative with authorities.

Someone posted that they knew a person who was caught driving while under suspension at a road check (this person apparently lives on a rural property and has a toddler). Because of this offense he is apparently facing a number of years in jail; perhaps as much as 10 years.

What is wrong with this picture? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? The suspended driver gets three months and the coke dealer gets the 10 years.

This is a perfect example of how the system is failing, and failing badly.

I hear judges say “our hands are tied. I’d like to give a stiffer sentence, but I can’t.” Then it’s up to the judges to petition the Supreme Court to initiate change. Sitting in silence will accomplish nothing.

Mark Billesberger

Penticton