The release of a former violent sexual offender on conditions into the community of Horsefly is raising concerns.
In June, police issued a notification of interest of public safety for Patrick Rodman — a man with a history of violent sexual offences against teenage and adult females — who had moved to Horsefly.
At the time police indicated Rodman, whose long-term supervision order relating to previous sexual offences expired on June 20, was subject to a two-year peace bond with strict conditions and was being supervised by the Williams Lake Probation Office.
However, in July Rodman was found in breach of his conditions and arrested by Williams Lake RCMP. In custody he was charged with uttering threats and assault, according to the RCMP, and in September he pleaded guilty to those charges and was sentenced to time served in custody.
The judge modified Rodman’s conditions to state that he must reside at his home in Horsefly.
In light of that decision, Cariboo North MLA Bob Simpson says he’s written a letter to B.C.’s Solicitor General Shirley Bond asking for her to review the case.
“I’ve asked the solicitor general to review the case with a view as to whether or not we need some public policy in the province that says probationary citizens can’t live in communities that don’t have the ability to supervise them; don’t have the ability to monitor them; don’t have the ability to provide them with the resources should they want to reach out for those resources to avoid reoffending.”
Simpson adds having offenders on conditions living in small communities without an RCMP detachment or related services is “unfair” to both the community and the individual.
Cariboo Regional District area F director Joan Sorley, whose electoral area includes Horsefly, agrees.
“Under the terms of this (recent) bond they have to figure out somehow how they can get him to live in society and not be a danger,” says Sorley, adding she supports the placement of Rodman in a larger community where he can be better monitored and have access to services.
Sorley indicated the chair of the regional district also has a meeting with the solicitor general to discuss this issue.
Sgt. Rick LeBeuf, operations support NCO for the Williams Lake detachment, says Rodman’s release into the Horsefly community poses a problem for monitoring by the RCMP.
“The initial issues we’re having is just that we have a limited presence in the community of Horsefly. There is no detachment, no monitoring in that area,” he says adding there are also very few resources for the individual should he need help.