Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, supported by Peel Regional Police, is advocating for changes to the criminal justice system to address the recurring pattern of violent crimes. During his weekly press conference on October 6, Brown voiced his concerns about the safety of residents, citing the swift release of individuals arrested for crimes as a significant issue.
“Too often, we see a revolving door justice system, where families are shattered, and there is senseless, avoidable loss of life due to loopholes in the justice system,” Brown stated. “We need to push governments to close these loopholes because it is disheartening to see our frontline police officers perform excellent investigative work to ensure those who should be behind bars are, only for them to be released.”
City Councillor Michael Palleschi, representing Wards 2 and 6, echoed Brown’s frustrations, highlighting recent incidents where individuals released on bail committed further violent acts. He recounted a tragic case where a Brampton woman was murdered by her boyfriend while he was out on bail, emphasizing the need for stricter laws.
“Under our current laws, violent crimes get a slap on the wrist, while their victims get a slap in the face,” Palleschi said.
Peel Regional Police Superintendent Hubert Hiltz, who joined Brown at the press conference, called for a collaborative effort to reform the bail system. “We need our justice system members to work together and address bail reform,” Hiltz said. “The current system is ineffective in preventing impulsive, violent criminals from reoffending. With added restrictions and other legislative interventions, we could mitigate the risk of future violent crimes.”