Pubdate: Sun, 14 Aug 2005
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Robert McQuillan

MORE JAIL TIME KEY TO SAFER HOMES AND STREETS

The federal government has finally decided to crack down on individuals who 
produce and sell crystal meth by handing down harsher jail sentences.

The ministers involved are sending a message to criminals that their 
illegal actions will no longer be tolerated. In other words, they are 
saying longer sentences will act as a deterrent.

I find this decision interesting, especially after years of former judge 
Wally Oppal and other apologists telling the public longer sentences only 
warehouse criminals, serve no real purpose and teach the incarcerated nothing.

Does this mean that, after all these years, the government is actually 
listening to the "great unwashed?"

Now that the powers-that-be finally realize longer sentences can be a 
deterrent, let's employ the same logic to the scumbags who commit other 
illegal acts such as property crime and stealing cars.

Before you know it, we may actually have a safer environment to live in, 
lower home- and auto-insurance premiums and safer streets to walk.

Robert McQuillan

Vancouver 
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MAP posted-by: Beth