Sunday morning’s arson incident that destroyed a pair of Talbot Street buildings – the work of prolific offender Joseph Penfound – has prompted the city’s police chief to again decry the current bail system.
In a statement released Monday, Chief Marc Roskamp stressed that the current bail approach continues to allow high-risk individuals to re-offend once they are released.
He added repeat offenders should be held fully responsible for their actions.
Here is his full statement:
On July 6, 2025, another vacant building in St. Thomas was the subject of arson. Arson is not just a crime against property – it’s a crime against people, against safety and against the sense of security in a community.
The damage loss of 616 Talbot Street is estimated at over $1M. Lives were put at risk as a result of this life- threatening crime, and we will pursue this matter with the same seriousness as a violent crime.
A prolific offender, Joseph Penfound (44 years old) was arrested and charged with the property offences that destroyed a heritage block in our downtown. This individual was out on bail for 13 criminal offences that date back to mid-2024, and a Probation Order that was subject to 14 criminal offences dating back to 2021. This individual has spent years involved in the criminal justice system as an adult. This circumstance represents precisely the consistent and pressing concerns over recidivist behaviours and a bail system that impacts community safety.
The current bail approach continues to allow high-risk individuals to reoffend once released. Repeat offenders are often competent, strategic and should be held fully responsible for their actions. The STPS believes in combining compassion where appropriate, but not an automatic overcompensation to blame social determinants as the cause, and where chronic criminality is treated as a symptom. Repeat offenders often show targeted behaviours that disregard victims’ rights, leaving communities to suffer the consequences.
I commend our officers for their outstanding work that led to the swift identification and arrest of the repeat offender in this matter. Our downtown business community’s support and cooperation was also instrumental in solving this occurrence so quickly. The community collaboration and our right person-right care approaches that have been established in St. Thomas are incredibly unique, and the investments continue to show impactful results for those that need supports and choose to live healthy in our community.
STPS members are working hard to keep our community safe—despite the challenges of a justice system under strain. We remain committed to being a constructive part of the solution and our dedication to public safety in St. Thomas is unwavering.
You can read details of the downtown fire here.
