Sault police chief calls for an end to repeated releases for offenders.

Concerns over rise in crime and fewer detentions A northern Ontario police chief is calling for justice system reform after what he considers 'troubling trends.' Christian D'Avino reports.

Sault Ste. Marie — Sault Ste. Marie's police chief says he's concerned that offenders continue to be released and is calling on criminal justice reform.

Chief Hugh Stevenson says he has supported criminal justice reform for a long time, but when it comes to how charged suspects are released, he says his concerns are ramped up with the pandemic.

"What legislation looks like, originally, and how it actually plays out on the street, and how the criminal element use it to their advantage at the expense of the public, that story needs to be told."

Stevenson says more offenders are being released instead of remaining in custody, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It's frustrating to watch, since that criminal subculture isn't getting the message of deterrence. We're increasing our foot patrol, but we can only do so much."

He says property crime has increased in Sault Ste. Marie throughout the month of April, particularly at storefronts.

Police have put together a task force to combat this, but Stevenson says his officers have also noticed a troubling trend.

"Out of the seventeen people we arrested, one individual has been arrested four times. Of those seventeen people, at least ten of them were already on a release."

The John Howard Society in Sault Ste. Marie says it shares some of Chief Stevenson's concerns.

"Though we believe the focus should be on rehabilitation for those in remand," said Suzanne Lajambe, the Executive Director. "We know that there are no services, so if they do have issues, mental health and addictions, they are not going to get help while they're in custody."

Lajambe says while she understands the Chief's position, holding offenders in custody is simply not enough of a deterrent for most criminals.

"At the time they're committing a crime, often times they are under the influence, or they're not thinking clearly, and they're not thinking, oh i better not do this because I'm going to go to jail."

Chief Stevenson says he will continue to advocate for reform through the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police.

Meanwhile, he says police will continue to keep up its patrols for added protection during the pandemic.