15 super-chronic offenders racked up 1,355 police files in one year: Of course, Kelowna wants bail and sentencing reform

We absolutely have to lead with this fact because it's so shocking and telling and disgraceful.

In 2024, in Kelowna, 15 so-called super-chronic repeat offenders accounted for 1,355 police files.

That's 90 police files per offender per year for everything from break and enter, theft, assault, threats, public disturbances, breaches of bail and-or probation and failure to appear in court.

Usually, the super-chronic offender quickly commits another crime shortly after being released on bail and knowing there's little consequence for reoffending.

This criminal ecosystem of persistent and prolific property and violent crimes is all tied into the crisis that Kelowna finds itself in with many of the super-chronic offenders battling mental health issues, brain injury, drug addiction and homelessness.

There's little the City of Kelowna can do to stop this revolving-door merry-go-round because bail, sentencing, mental health, addiction and homelessness supports are provincial and federal jurisdictions.

With all that background and context, Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas travelled to Ottawa this week to testify at the Parliament of Canada before the Justice and Human Rights Committee.

The committee is gathering input on Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act.

“We have produced evidence-based advocacy papers, including Chronic Offenders – Closing the Revolving Door, because municipalities are living with the consequences and costs of decisions made elsewhere,” said Dyas.

“Local governments have limited impact if the same individuals continue to cycle through the justice system and back onto our streets. That is why Bill C-14 matters, and why I am urging Parliament to move this legislation forward.”

Bill C-14 aims to make it harder for violent and repeat offenders to get bail, so they stay in custody and can't reoffend again.

The bill was introduced in October 2025 and has been going through parliamentary process since and may return to the House of Commons shortly to be debated and become law.

Kelowna is a beautiful city in a beautiful setting and a desirable destination for people to live, work, play and invest.

But, the super-chronic repeat offender property and violent crime problem and the associated mental health issues, drug addiction and homelessness hangs over city with a pall that makes some residents and tourists feel unsafe downtown, in neighbourhoods, parks and trails.

While this problem isn't unique to Kelowna -- other cities and towns across the country are suffering, too -- Kelowna has come to the forefront with its proactive efforts for change and improvement.

Dyas has been a leading municipal advocate for bail reform for years, and was invited to Ottawa to share Kelowna’s on-the-ground experience with repeat offending, bail decisions, and their impact on community safety.

Dyas emphasized the urgency of pushing bail reform and highlighted how chronic property offending is affecting residents, workers, and businesses in Kelowna and communities across the country.

He also noted that while bail reform is a critical step, it must be accompanied by provincial investments in Crown prosecutors and mental health and addictions supports.