Pubdate: Wed, 26 Apr 2006
Source: Mayerthorpe Freelancer (CN AB)
Copyright: 2006 The Freelancer
Contact:  http://www.mayerthorpefreelancer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/733
Author: Rob Merrifield, MP
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)

MP'S COLUMN - STOPPING CRIME IN OUR COMMUNITIES

Mayerthorpe Freelancer -- This past week I was in the riding for 
Easter, to meet with constituents, and to take part in a crime 
prevention workshop. "Take Back our Community" brought 
representatives from Hinton, Edson, Grande Cache, Jasper, and 
provincial and federal governments together in a co-ordinated effort 
to figure out how to prevent crime before it happens. It was 
encouraging to see all levels of government represented at the table 
as we looked at how to coordinate our efforts to bring about 
solutions to Yellowhead's crime problems.

Yellowhead's communities have been very busy actively targeting 
criminal activity in the region. At the premier's task force on 
crystal meth 's stop in Drayton Valley, over 40 community members 
were present to listen and offer suggestions to combat the crystal 
meth problem. The premier's task force and the "Take Back our 
Community" meetings are great initiatives, and they are just two of 
many community projects that are the result of local citizens working 
together to make Canada better.

The Conservative government is committed to joining with the citizens 
of Yellowhead to make our communities safer. We will do this by 
implementing mandatory minimum sentences for drug trafficking, 
weapons offences, and repeat offenders. We will end house arrest for 
serious offences, violent and sexual crimes, and crimes involving 
children. As your MP, I have received hundreds of letters asking for 
the government to implement these laws to protect our communities. We 
are going to implement them and we will do so quickly.

By creating tougher sentences for serious and repeat offenders we 
will protect our communities. But, an equally important part of 
creating safe communities is preventing crime before it occurs. That 
is why the efforts of Ivan Strang, MLA for West Yellowhead, who 
initiated "Take Back our Community," and other community groups and 
support services are very important. We need to make sure that we are 
educating young people as to the consequences of poor decisions and 
illegal actions. If we are able to inform them at a young age we will 
decrease the likelihood that they will engage in destructive 
behaviour when they are older.

Above all, we need to keep working together. The federal government 
will do its part by strengthening the criminal code to create 
stricter consequences for criminals. The provincial government and 
local communities are stepping forward to educate, create awareness, 
and implement action plans. As we continue to work together to both 
prevent criminal action and toughen sentences we will see our 
communities become safe again.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom