Calls for Action

With the release of the Highway of Tears Report on Wednesday, many of the recommendations have made for points of discussion in the Northwest over the last couple of days.

The Prince George Free press studied the report and stressed the need for education for families across the North, to make sure that everyone is aware of the dangers that are traveling down Highway 16.

The Daily News picked up on the tone of action that the report stressed, with a front page story on Thursday. In addition to recounting the recommendations of the report it also highlighted a theory from the reports author.

It’s an approach that much of the other media didn’t seem to dwell on, so it made for an interesting change of pace from the recitation of the thirty some recommendations that were made.

The author of the report Don Sabo, was quoted in the Daily News as having studied the issue thoroughly and determining that there is a hunting pattern in place with the disappearances, which increase in the traditional hitchhiking season and in the cold winter months the predator or predators appear to move into the cities.

It’s a disturbing image but one that is probably not too far off the mark, someone is out on Highway 16 planning the next move, it’s the purpose of the report to try and take away the targets as best they can. The Daily also featured commentary from the local MLA Gary Coons who urged all levels of government to commit to the report.

You can read it in full detail below.

ACTION URGED ALONG ‘HIGHWAY OF TEARS’
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Page One

Offering a free shuttle bus for young female hitchhikers between Prince Rupert and Prince George is just one way to help stop the murders and disappearances along the Highway of Tears says a report released yesterday.

The report, a product of the discussions at the Highway of Tears symposium held in Prince George in March, was prepared by Don Sabo, a First Nations consultant, who wrote it after working with the RCMP and victims families.

“Out of 33 recommendations, 15 of the 33 address victim prevention,” said Sabo.

“The reason is quite clearly the victims’ families and communities want these disappearances and murders to stop. It’s not just up to the RCMP. There’s a lot communities can do.”

During a 35 year period, more than 30 women, mainly young and aboriginal have disappeared on the 724 km stretch of highway between Prince Rupert and Prince George.

The RCMP are officially investigating, however, all the cases remain unsolved.

The most significant factor linking these women, aboriginal and non-aboriginal is poverty, said Sabo. They had no other way to travel.

“Implementing a free shuttle would significantly reduce the need for young women to hitchhike said Sabo.

The report also recommends setting up a network of eyes and ears along the highway - including RCMP, public servants and highway residents – to record women who are hitchhiking and encourage them to use the shuttle.

“The RCMP does patrol the highway and they do a fairly good job. These patrols can no longer just drive past these women,” said Sabo.

“The reason why is because there is a predator out there hunting women. It would be irresponsible because the predator could be 25 minutes behind.”

Sabo said he envisions every resident within visibility of the highway would be given a 1-800 crisis number and asked to report lone female hitchhikers as well as note the description of any vehicle that picked them up.

“It’s about detecting and protecting,” he said.

After examining the many disappearances and murders, Sabo said there is a clear pattern.

The disappearances happen in the hitchhiking season and in the winter when its cold and no one hitchhikes, the predator(s) move into the city.

”I’ve researched this issue thoroughly and I can see the hunting pattern.” He said.

“Every year it’s one more. It’s a cumulative effect. This is a shared concern for all communities between Prince Rupert and Prince George.”

In order to implement the recommendations, Sabo suggests the six organizations that held the forum and commissioned the report establish a formal board. It is also suggested that each community along the highway establish a local board – including municipal, RCMP, urban aboriginal and rural aboriginal representatives – to implement recommendations locally.

North Coast MLA Gary Coons said federal, provincial and municipal governments all need to commit to the recommendations.

The report also calls for additional resources to be made available, such as safe houses and educational campaigns in communities struggling with issues of poverty.

“What we’ve seen from the report and what we have known for decades is the cause is poverty,” said Coons. “There’s a lack of resources and services in First Nations communities that cause young women to resort to hitchhiking for many reasons.”

He added that there needs to be more focus on solving the disappearances and murders in the north.

“This has to stop,” he said.