BC’s new Premier has outlined his plans to try to get violent offenders off the streets, while also dealing with some of the root causes.

David Eby has unveiled on Sunday his so-called “Safer Communities Action Plan,” which he says has a two-pronged approach: One to get violent offenders off the streets, while also dealing with issues surrounding addiction.

“We’re setting up new, coordinated response teams to address the issue of violent offenders,” said Eby.  “These teams are made up of police, dedicated prosecutors and probation officers.  Their mission is to prevent violent crime before it happens.”

He says part of this plan includes the Attorney General giving prosecutors more leeway to ask the courts to hold violent offenders before trial starting Tuesday.

“He has issued a direction to prosecutors to implement a clear and understandable bail policy for repeat violent offenders within existing federal law.”

Eby’s plan also includes the creation of 10 new Indigenous Justice Centers around the province, more mental health crisis response programs — such as Car 40 in Kamloops — as well as a new addiction program.

This program, being launched in Vancouver to address issues on the downtown eastside, will — according to the Premier — be a model to be used across the province.

“One that moves people seamlessly from crisis response in our emergency rooms and our streets, to detox, to treatment and to supportive housing,” said Eby. “It will fill the gaps between services where people might relapse and fall between the cracks.”