THUNDER BAY – A weekly program that no one wants to be featured on is being called a success by police and is expected to continue into the new year.
Thunder Bay Police Service said Wanted Wednesday, which features images, names, and charges of four individuals with outstanding bench warrants every week, had a 59 per cent success rate, with 103 of the 175 people featured on the program either arrested or turned in.
“The program in my opinion has been very successful,” said Thunder Bay Sgt. Greg Stein. “We have been able to execute a fair number of warrants and I think we are going to continue with the program. It seems to be working.”
Wanted Wednesday was first launched in Feb. 2017 and according to Stein, the purpose of the program was to work with the public on behalf of victims to ensure people who have committed crimes are dealt with by the justice system and to possibly prevent additional offences from taking place.
It was also meant to serve as a possible deterrent, encouraging people who do not want to be featured in the program, to turn themselves in.
“We do have people who turn themselves in who have commented that they don’t want to be on Wanted Wednesday,” Stein said. “If that happens, that is a success I believe. It’s always easier for everyone concerned to turn themselves in and have their matters dealt with.”
“I was really hoping that more people turned themselves in,” Stein continued. “I realize there are a lot of people dealing with mental health issues, or addictions issues, so that may prevent them from turning themselves in.”
Stein added that sometimes the only way for people, or families, to receive help is through the police, which is why he believes the program can be beneficial to people in those kinds of situations.
Wanted Wednesday was not without controversy, however, with some online comments claiming it is a form of public shaming.
“We do get some heat about it, that we are doing harm to people,” Stein said. “Trust me, we have exhausted every avenue, we’ve sought our legal counsel and got information from them, we’ve looked at other programs around the country and we believe we are doing the right thing for our community.”
There have been other bumps along the road throughout the year, including individuals being featured who may have passed away or are undergoing medical treatment. Stein said in those cases, the individual was removed from Wanted Wednesday immediately.
Thunder Bay Police may also be looking into other initiatives that are being done in cities across Canada, including posting pictures of people wanted for crimes.
“We have, unfortunately, no shortage of cases in the city and we don’t know who some of these people are,” Stein said. “It is something we will have to talk to our legal counsel about and perhaps explore, but it’s another avenue for the police to partner with the community.”
For now, Wanted Wednesday will continue in 2018, Stein said, with the hopes that more people will either turn themselves in, or be arrested and begin to move through the justice system.
“If we didn’t have the need for the program, we wouldn’t have the program,” Stein said. “If you don’t want to do the time, don’t do the crime. If people make bad decisions and have charges outstanding, turn yourself in.”
