IMPLEMENTATION KEY TO CRIME REPORT

From the outset, chairman Heather Forsyth was adamant the province's
task force on crime reduction would go beyond predictable demands for
more police. "We need to probe deeper than that," the Calgary MLA and
former solicitor general told the committee last spring as it geared
up for public hearings.

This week, Forsyth presented an intriguing report that lives up to
her commitment in substantial measure with its call for crime
prevention steps, along with some tougher law enforcement.

Important recommendations, including more treatment beds for drug
addicts, more services for the mentally ill and improvements to
aboriginal education (as set out in the Learning Commission report)
will help prevent crime.

The report also gives a refreshingly candid assessment of how the
fast-living, get-rich-quick culture of this boom contributes to some
of criminal activity in the province.

"Drug and alcohol abuse take a terrible toll and directly or
indirectly it is at the heart of many crimes," says the report. "The
'work hard, play hard' culture that has developed in Alberta is a
dangerous one."

Two controversial recommendations, however, deserve further
discussion. The first is that repeat offenders should be routinely
denied bail. This step would signal a hard line, keeping career
criminals off the street while awaiting trial.

On a practical level, the province would have to find room in already
overcrowded remand centres for more prisoners.

The report advocates a longer mandatory treatment time (beyond the
current five days) for children ordered into it by the courts. That
should be approached cautiously. Using the coercive powers of the
state over minors, when no crime is committed, must be done with great care.

The provincial government accepted much of the report and announced
it will add 40 residential addiction-treatment beds, 41 more beds at
hospitals for the mentally ill and by 2010 will add another 50 detox
beds for young people. That's a good start.

More police officers and Crown prosecutors will also be hired, though
the timetable is vague -- as is the price tag.

One government estimate put the cost of implementing many
recommendations at $470 million over three years. Taxpayers need a
better breakdown of that large sum.

Some of these measures will repair the social safety net that was
weakened under Klein-era cutbacks. The lack of services for mentally
ill is a major problem.

(Unfortunately, the committee gives almost no detail of what's needed
to improve those services.)

Communities will also be pleased that the task force recommends
tougher enforcement of the Liquor Control Act. That should help
cities trying to reduce violence associated with bars.

The limits of Forsyth's report are also clear, however.

Tackling the causes of crime also means dealing with poverty,
providing decent housing for low income families, good child care for
those struggling on low-wage jobs in a high cost economy and making
sure there's all-day kindergarten for families in need.

Crime in Alberta is not on the rise, according to recent statistics,
but it remains a serious problem and higher than the national average.

Premier Ed Stelmach will be on the mark if he tackles the problem
with a judicious combination of prevention and enforcement measures.

Communities will be watching his government for a commitment to a
meaningful timetable for implementing the report. Already Stelmach
delayed until April setting up a provincial secretariat to assist
towns and cities in developing a safer communities strategy. That's
too bad. Many communities are ahead of the government on this and are
waiting for provincial support.