Pubdate: Wed, 21 Jun 2006
Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Canoe Inc
Contact:  http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837
Author: Kathleen Harris, 24 Hours
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)

EVOLUTION OF GANG CRIME

Driven by huge profits and a propensity for violence, organized crime 
groups and street gangs are flourishing across Canada with greater 
sophistication, stronger networks and deadly influence.

 From identity theft and hooker rings to hard-core drug operations, 
human trafficking and gun-smuggling, gangs are exploiting advanced 
technology and weapons to yield control over cash and turf.

But Justice Minister Vic Toews said traditional lines drawn between 
various street gangs and organized crime are becoming blurred as 
distinct groups join hands to maximize the profits and influence of 
their criminal enterprises. It's a disturbing trend that makes 
illicit webs increasingly tough for cops to crack.

"There are real concerns about the growth of violent crime that's 
associated with street gangs and organized crime, but also a very 
clear connection now between more established organized crime 
families and street gangs," said Toews in an interview.

"We are committed to addressing this violence, and the first step is 
seen in our bills that ensure tougher sentencing, especially for gun crime."

The Conservatives recently tabled a bill that will impose tougher 
mandatory minimum penalties for gang and gun crimes, but Toews said 
it's just one means of tackling the problem.

More specially trained police officers, enhanced intelligence 
capability and stronger laws to financially cripple organized crime 
are also required to get the upper hand over innovative gangsters, he said.

"It used to be that many of these gangs stayed in their own expertise 
or specialty, but that seems to have shifted with these coordinated 
efforts between gangs," Toews said.

"That involves everything from drug trafficking to loan sharking to 
white collar fraud, especially credit card and bank card frauds, 
prostitution, trafficking in human beings, grow ops. The pattern is 
clear that there are connections now emerging between these various gangs."

Toews said evidence shows that hand gun crime and gang-related 
homicides are increasing "quite dramatically" across the country.

While addressing community and economic problems are key, he said the 
New York experience shows it's best to tackle crime first.

"You need to focus on getting the gunmen and the drug dealers off the 
street if you hope to have any success in dealing with social 
programs, economic programs and other community development programs," he said.

Toews said the water is muddied between gangs and terrorist 
organizations, which now partner internationally to finance their 
nefarious activities.

"It indicates that we are not simply dealing with local crime. We are 
dealing with crime that has international ramifications and that 
terrorist organizations are often working together with gangs in 
order to raise money," he said.

"That's not uncommon in other areas of the world if you look at 
Colombia and places where terrorist organizations deal in drugs to 
fund their terrorist activities.

"The fact that terrorist organizations are making connections with 
organized crime families would not be unusual given that, that's how 
they would have to distribute the drugs that they're responsible for 
producing."

A 2005 report from Criminal Intelligence Service Canada notes that 
traditional biker, mob and street gangs have evolved with 
"increasingly complex dynamics."

Using violence and advanced technology, organized criminals are 
teaming together to bolster their ability to move illicit goods in 
and out of Canada by air, land and marine ports.

"Organized crime in Canada takes advantage of a multitude of 
opportunities that will bring them profit," the report concludes. 
"They are as a result increasingly networked, often engaging in 
cooperative criminal ventures based upon mutual need."

NDP MP Joe Comartin said the successful smashing of gangs in Quebec 
and Manitoba have pushed "residue" to grow in Ontario. He said a 
"realignment of resources" on security and fighting terrorism after 
9/11 has also allowed the problem to fester.

"Focusing on the gangs, focusing on the drug trafficking and gun 
smuggling has relented somewhat because we have concentrated much of 
our resources on the security and terrorism side," he said.

Comartin believes guns and gang violence pose a greater threat to 
public safety than terrorism.

The Conservative crackdown will spend millions on prison cells, yet 
most of those jailed will be low-level "mules" rather than high-level 
gang leaders.

"The Conservatives rant all the time about the gun registry, well, 
we've got another boondoggle coming here," he said.

"We're going to spend all that money on prisons to keep people in 
jail, but what you really need to do is stop the crime in the first 
place, and the way to do that is to get the money in the hands of 
provincial and municipal police forces."

Christa McGregor, a spokesman for Correctional Service of Canada, 
said inmates affiliated with gangs has climbed to 16 per cent from 12 
per cent in 1997.

The system is now bracing for that violent, high-risk group to swell 
even more in coming years with the Conservative crackdown.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman