Editor:
Like many British Columbians, I was horrified to read about the case of John Frederick Field — a convicted, high-risk sex offender who was released multiple times and ultimately charged with the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl in Vancouver.
This wasn’t a tragic anomaly. It was preventable.
Mr. Field had a known history of sexual violence and was considered high-risk by law enforcement. He was arrested in March for an attempted break-in, allegedly while intoxicated, and released within 24 hours. Weeks later, he was charged in a crime spree involving a bank robbery, assault, and the horrifying assault of a child.
How did we get here?
The answer lies in a system paralyzed by ideology — where concern for civil liberties has eclipsed concern for public safety. Where those who are clearly dangerous are allowed to walk free because someone might call it “compassionate.”
But there is nothing compassionate about policies that leave violent, delusional individuals untreated on our streets — harming others, and often deteriorating further themselves.
Groups that lobby against involuntary care or secure psychiatric facilities may mean well. But they are not living with the consequences. Their opposition to institutional mental health care has helped gut the very systems that could protect both the public and those in deep psychological crisis.
This is not about punishment. This is not about cruelty. It’s about prevention. It’s about protecting people like that 14-year-old girl. It’s about protecting families. It’s about building a mental health system that can intervene before tragedy strikes, not after.
So I ask our provincial leaders:
Where is the forensic psychiatric capacity to house violent, mentally ill individuals?
Why isn’t the dangerous offender designation applied more aggressively?
Why are those on probation for sex offences allowed to walk free after fresh arrests?
It’s time to redefine compassion as something that includes safety, accountability, and intervention. Until we do, cases like Field’s will keep happening. And more lives will be shattered.
Sincerely,
Jon Urpens, Sechelt
