Jailbirds wanted

Photo: Contributed - Cops for Kids

Vernon Mayor Akbal Mund is going to jail on Thursday.

The stunt is an effort to raise money for Cops for Kids, a charity assisting children in medical, physical or traumatic crisis across southeastern B.C.

“At this point he is being charged with failure to remain seated on a school bus,” said Courtney King, event co-ordinator.

She said Boston Pizza and the Armstrong Kin Club have partnered with Cops for Kids for the event.

Mund will be picked up by volunteer RCMP officers and taken to jail at Boston Pizza on 32 Street. He will have to see a judge and then get on the telephone to raise bail money, which becomes a donation to Cops for Kids.

“We are looking for more jailbirds if anyone wants to snitch on a friend or co-worker,” said King. “It's always lots of fun to lock them up in jail and give them some charges.”

“And it helps us raise a lot of money for local children,” she stressed.

Last year's event, which saw MLA Eric Foster and others go to jail, raised $15,000 locally. 

Since 2001, more than $2.7 million have been raised across the southeast.

There are two ways to donate, said King. Either jailbirds can turn themselves in or arrange for officers to pick them up or a snitch calls, fills out a summons and officers go to pick up an unsuspecting victim.

The third annual Jail and Bail fundraiser takes place at Boston Pizza from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.