Surrey mayor condemns release of violent offenders to live in the city

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says it is unacceptable that two high-risk offenders with histories of serious violent crimes have been released to live in the city within two days. She said the extensive court-ordered conditions, electronic monitoring, curfews and ongoing police oversight imposed on both men underscore the risk authorities believe they pose.

Surrey Police Service issued public interest disclosures stating that Jonathon Anders Muzychka and Skylar Wayne Pelletier will reside in Surrey. Neither man’s neighbourhood has been disclosed. Locke said she supports rehabilitation and recognizes that successful reintegration must be part of the justice system, but communities should not be expected to carry an unfair burden in housing offenders who pose a significant public-safety risk. She said she is pursuing the matter with the federal justice minister.

Muzychka, 49, and Pelletier, 26, are required to wear electronic monitoring equipment, avoid contact with their victims and victims’ families, and comply with a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, among other conditions. Police ask anyone who sees either man breach a release condition to call 911.