Pubdate: Sun, 11 Nov 2007
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2007 Calgary Herald
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Jason Fekete
Note: 80 Page report available through webpage link

ALBERTA DRAWS STRATEGY TO BUST CRIME BOOM

Calgary Set To Break Annual Homicide Record; Opposition Doubts 
Government's Resolve

With Calgary on pace this year to break its annual homicide record, 
the provincial government is vowing to get tough on crime and is 
turning to a landmark study for the tools it needs.

The newly released 77-page report from the Crime Reduction and Safe 
Communities task force offers potentially the most in-depth look ever 
at the roots of crime in the province and the fallout it has on all Albertans.

"There's a dark story many Albertans may not want to hear about or 
acknowledge. Our crime rates are higher than the rates in many other 
provinces in Canada," says the task force report, released last week. 
"The costs of crime are high and the impact on victims is devastating."

The impact on Calgarians has been especially tragic in 2007 -- a year 
already marred by 28 homicides, just three short of a record 31 in 1992.

A spate of violence across Alberta has many people in the province 
demanding more officers on the streets and a crackdown on crime.

But as the city inches toward an unwelcome and infamous record, the 
task force report -- and subsequent government strategy -- propose 
far more than just beefed-up law enforcement to protect Albertans.

 From reintroducing chain gangs, to demanding greater corporate 
participation in tackling crime, to forcing doctors to notify police 
when they treat gunshot or stab wounds -- the report also urges the 
government to incorporate several unconventional crime-fighting measures.

"I would like the government to be aggressive in not only supporting 
some of these recommendations, but let's get the money behind it and 
let's get going now," said Doug King, chair of justice studies at 
Mount Royal College.

"It would be nice to see it implemented before an election instead of 
being used as an election plank."

The province accepted fully or in principle 29 of 31 recommendations 
from the task force report, released last week. Headed by Calgary 
Tory MLA Heather Forsyth, the committee met with more than 1,700 
Albertans in 14 communities in the spring.

The task force identified five priority areas for action:

- - Drug and alcohol addictions -- the committee said this must be "the 
top priority";

- - Laws and the courts -- reinforce existing laws, introduce new ones 
and ensure courts adequately deal with offenders;

- - Families, children and youth -- building positive skills in 
children and youth before they get into trouble;

- - Policing -- hire more officers, improve reporting, target repeat 
offenders and hot spots; and

- - Community actions -- residents and community agencies curb crime in 
their neighbourhoods.

"What I've learned is violence has permeated every level of society," 
said Karen Venables, a task force member from Calgary whose son Devin 
was killed five years ago by a single punch in a fight outside a 
Bannister Road S.E. pub.

The recommended changes are desperately needed to make the streets 
safer for all Albertans, Venables argued, adding that the focus must 
begin with youths so that she doesn't lose another son.

"I'm still fearful every day," she said. "But I feel better with some 
of the recommendations that we have in the report that we can make 
Alberta safer."

In response to the report, the Stelmach government promised, among 
other things, to allocate funding for more police officers in 
communities across Alberta, although the exact number likely won't be 
known until next spring's provincial budget.

"Whatever that number works out to, we're thrilled to have them," 
said Calgary police Chief Rick Hanson, although he noted the number 
will certainly fall short of the 100 additional officers he needs.

Alberta ranks eighth among Canadian provinces with 168 police 
officers per 100,000 people.

The government also pledged to crack down on repeat offenders, get 
tough on drugs, and place a greater emphasis on prevention and 
intervention. It's part of an effort to put a dent in the $5 billion 
in direct and indirect costs of crime in Alberta each year.

"We've heard Albertans," declared Premier Ed Stelmach. "We're going 
to lower the boom on crime."

Yet, achieving some of the government's goals will include adopting 
some unconventional crime-fighting tools instead of just traditional, 
gritty measures such as hiring more officers.

For example, the report recommends the province bring back chain 
gangs of prisoners that are assigned to work projects, such as 
maintaining parks, fighting fires or assisting with municipal initiatives.

Other alternative measures proposed include removing barriers to 
sharing information between agencies, which has been accepted by the 
government. The task force recommends government look at forcing 
doctors and nurses -- who are often hesitant to disclose personal 
health information -- to notify police when they treat gunshot or stab wounds.

Other provinces such as Ontario and Saskatchewan have already adopted 
similar legislation. Police argue that failing to report the 
information can interfere with their ability to investigate crimes 
and protect the public.

In an effort to crack down on illegal drug use, the task force 
recommended the province consider mandatory reporting of unusually 
large electricity consumption, which could indicate an illegal drug 
grow operation.

The government also pledged to hire more Crown prosecutors, add new 
treatment beds for drug and alcohol addictions, and try to deter 
judges from granting bail to chronic offenders.

Calgary's police chief said treatment and prevention initiatives are 
key components in keeping our streets safe.

"There are a lot of people in jails (who) ought not to be there," 
Hanson said. "We need treatment facilities to work on people with 
addictions, those that have mental-illness issues."

There are also promises to expand funding and treatment options to 
domestic violence courts across Alberta, as well as develop a mental 
health court on a trial basis.

Tougher enforcement of liquor and gaming laws, and using the proceeds 
of crime to fund victim compensation are also part of the new strategy.

To implement the initiatives, the government will establish the Safe 
Communities Secretariat by April 2008.

Opposition parties, however, said the government's plan is full of 
empty promises and is only being pulled out because a provincial 
election is expected within the next few months.

They argued the government's task force report on crystal meth, which 
made several key recommendations for treatment and prevention of drug 
use, has collected dust and hasn't produced many of the changes called for.

"People should go into this with their eyes open. As we approach an 
election, the government wants to look like it's tough on crime," 
said NDP Leader Brian Mason. "But what we've seen time and again is 
the government failing to meet the real needs with the resources that 
are necessary."

Mason said the government isn't addressing the root causes of crime, 
including poverty, lack of housing and poor education.

Liberal solicitor general critic Mo Elsalhy said he likes most of the 
recommendations contained in the report, but noted there are no 
details of when the government will enact them and what it means to 
Alberta communities.

"They talk the talk about being tough on crime," Elsalhy said. "There 
is no contract. There is no commitment."

Alberta Alliance Leader Paul Hinman, along with other opposition 
MLAs, noted that Forsyth, a former solicitor general, and deputy 
premier Ron Stevens, a longtime justice minister, were senior cabinet 
ministers in the Klein government and failed to implement aggressive 
measures over the years.

"It's analysis by paralysis," Hinman said. "I'm concerned this is 
just more talk."

While the task force and opposition said cracking down on crime 
requires an aggressive government response, the province wasn't the 
only body singled out for needing to do more.

The report urges the wealthy corporate sector and individual 
Albertans to step it up.

"Corporations are profiting considerably from Alberta's booming 
economy," the report says. "They should shoulder some of the 
responsibility for the consequences of this boom."

Yet, the impetus for "real and long-term change" comes from 
individual Albertans who must reconnect with neighbours and be 
vigilant in their communities.

"Every Albertan in this province has to start getting involved," 
added Forsyth, the task force chairwoman.

Alberta's total crime rate dipped six per cent in 2006, the 
second-largest drop among the provinces, including noticeable 
declines in reported sexual assaults and property crimes such as 
break-ins (although Alberta still had the fourth-highest crime rate 
among the provinces).
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman