Teams of police, prosecutors and probation officers are being enlisted to tackle repeat violent offenders in a dozen British Columbia communities, including Kamloops.

Premier David Eby says the government will create 12 law enforcement hubs in communities across the province to help police, dedicated prosecutors, and probation officers target individuals who repeatedly commit violent offences.

Three other hubs will be in the B.C. Interior – Cranbrook, Kelowna, and Williams Lake. Four other hubs will be set up in the Lower Mainland – Vancouver, Surrey, New Westminster, and Abbotsford, with the final four split between Vancouver Island – Nanaimo and Victoria – and Northern B.C. – Prince George, and Terrace.

The government says these new regional hubs are part of the Repeat Violent Offending Intervention Initiative, adding it will focus on specific prolific repeat offenders to keep communities safe.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community, wherever they live,” Public Safety Minister, Mike Farnworth, said in a statement.

“The rise in repeat violent offending is top of mind for British Columbians and it’s also a top priority for our government. We’re taking action by standing up 12 hubs throughout B.C. to harness the expertise and experience that will disrupt repeat violent offending and make a real difference in B.C. neighbourhoods.”

The Opposition BC Liberals have been calling on the government to introduce tougher public safety measures, citing numerous violent crimes allegedly connected to people who were arrested and released, only to be involved in other violence shortly afterwards.

“Crimes committed by repeat violent offenders continue to be a concern across the country,” Attorney General, Niki Sharma, added.

“These are tough challenges that require a coordinated approach. That’s why we’re investing in dedicated Crown counsel to provide criminal law advice, and independent prosecutorial support and services to support the hubs and help build safer, more just communities.”

There is no word on when these hubs are expected to be up and running.

Eby though says the government will support the hub initiative with $16 million over three years, and introduce a special investigation and targeted enforcement program to help police conduct repeat offender investigations.

“The impacts and challenges of repeat violent offenders requires a multi-agency response,” RCMP E Division Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, said. “The new Specialized Investigation and Targeted Enforcement program is a step in the right direction.

“SITE will enhance public safety by adding to the investigative options available to police in B.C. It will also strengthen co-ordination and information sharing between police agencies, similar to the successes achieved with BC’s Provincial Tactical Enforcement Priority, which SITE is modelled after.”

– With files from The Canadian Press