Pubdate: Sun, 05 Oct 2008
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2008 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Jason Fekete

PREMIER VOWS 'PUSH' TO FIGHT CRIME

Criminologist Calls Stelmach's Tough Talk Rhetoric

With gun and gang violence sparking public anxiety, Premier Ed 
Stelmach vowed Saturday at his party's annual convention he'll "push 
the envelope" on fighting crime -- including pressuring Ottawa and 
the Supreme Court to act more decisively.

However, the tough talk was denounced by a criminal law expert who 
said Stelmach's warning is "rhetoric" and part of a "disturbing" 
trend by politicians at all levels of government to deflect the blame 
on the important public issue.

Tired of what he insists are legal impediments to fighting crime, 
Stelmach said his government is looking at bail reforms and will 
introduce new legislation by the spring that will enable police to 
get into drug and prostitution houses more quickly.

At the same time, Alberta Justice Minister Alison Redford argued the 
federal Criminal Code must be updated to prevent any real or 
perceived revolving-door justice.

"We're going to push the envelope as the province of Alberta," 
Stelmach told hundreds of party members gathered in Jasper.

"We're going to push the federal government. We're going to push the 
Supreme Court, and we're going to get into the drug houses and the 
prostitution houses a heck of a lot quicker than we are today," Stelmach said.

"I dare any judge to come ahead and tell us we can't do it."

Stelmach said he's compelled to act by what is sometimes an 
ineffective justice system, particularly when he sees repeat 
offenders back on the streets only hours after being charged.

Gut-wrenching stories -- such as the Brazilian bystander who was 
blinded for life following a recent shooting incident in Calgary -- 
are more reason to demand changes to the system, he said.

"We're not going to be afraid to challenge what is in the existing 
legislation," the premier later told reporters.

But criminologist Doug King said Stelmach, like other politicians, is 
simply trying to pass the buck on the crime file because nobody wants 
to take responsibility for ensuring safe streets.

Mayor Dave Bronconnier has been pleading with Stelmach to double the 
100 new officers the province promised to Calgary over the next three 
years, in an effort to curb the spate of gun and gang violence.

The premier, however, maintains reforms are needed to the justice 
system, because too many criminals are slipping through legal loopholes.

"You can't just pressure the Supreme Court of Canada. How do you do 
that?" said King, instructor at Mount Royal College.

"That's rhetoric. . . . It sounds to me like it's deflecting (the 
blame) outside the province to find out why things aren't going so 
well in Alberta in terms of gun and gang activity."

Nevertheless, Alberta's justice minister said she's pushing for the 
federal Criminal Code to be amended so there's clearer guidelines for 
judges, because different interpretations of the law result in some 
repeat offenders being let out on bail.

"People are not as prepared to sit back and say, 'I trust these 
institutions to do everything in the public interest,' " Redford 
said. "They're saying 'We better re-examine here what we consider 
acceptable in our society.'"
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom