Pubdate: Sat, 24 Apr 2004
Source: Richmond Review, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 Richmond Public Library
Contact:  http://www.richmondreview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/704
Author: Rick Kupchuk

POLICE NEED HELP FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO FIGHT CRIME

The province's police forces and other law enforcement agencies are doing 
what they can to fight crime. But the help they need isn't coming from 
Ottawa, says frustrated B.C. Solicitor General Rich Coleman.

"You need to tell (the federal) judiciary, 'you're letting us down' " 
Coleman said. "They should be part of the solution, not the problem. The 
judicial system that is supposed to reflect the values of communities, has 
to start to listen to the people in those communities."

Known as B.C.'s top cop, Coleman told the story of an RCMP officer who 
picked up a suspected car thief who was subsequently released. Two hours 
later, the same officer was in a high speed chase, pursuing the same 
suspect in another stolen car.

"He had 30 convictions," said Coleman of the suspect. "The justice system 
is letting us down."

Stiffer sentences for serious crimes do have an impact, said Coleman, who 
added the system is also failing in the fight against marijuana grow 
operations and other aspects of the drug trade.

"In Washington state, they've raised the bar. Have a grow-op with more than 
100 plants, it's an automatic five years in jail. For your first offence, 
it's three months in jail and they seize your assets.

"In B.C., you can be charged seven or eight times, and still not get 
incarcerated."

Coleman is preparing legislation in this province that would allow 
authorities to seize assets of suspected drug dealers.

"If you have a grow-op, the police arrive. Then the next guys coming in are 
going to take your house, your car and your bank account. Then you have to 
prove you bought them with legal money. The onus is on you."
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart