VISION WON'T STOP THE CRIME

There's no denying Calgary's prosperity has attracted all kinds of
people to the city, including some involved with organized crime.
Indeed, in less than 12 months, known membership in the city's 12
street gangs has doubled to at least 300, police sources say. As the
initiative inevitably rests with the criminal, the situation has been
challenging for the Calgary Police Service.

But, does this mean the police have no idea what they are doing?

Somehow, that's what comes across when Ald. Madeleine King says the
service needs "new vision." It's the kind of comment that could make
a reasonable reader suppose our bumbling flatfeet just don't get it,
but could easily be jump-started with clever ideas from new,
charismatic leadership that sees at a glance what has eluded its predecessor.

If only it were so simple.

Weekend quarterbacking is fun and easy, and no doubt there are
anecdotes to illustrate the difficulties police face when confronted
with savvy crooks who are aware of their rights, and protected by
lawyers who use court disclosures to discover police tactics.

Still, the local constabulary can hardly be accused of fiddling while
Calgary burns.

In 2005, for instance, city police seized more than 59,000 marijuana
plants from 138 suspected grow ops. Last year, it took plants with a
street value of $63 million and to the end of July this year, the
drug unit has already seized $48 million in plants.

And, so far the Organized Crime Section has made 81 arrests, and laid
422 charges, seizing in the process assets and money to the tune of
$144,000, along with drugs having a street value of $1.6 million.

It is not so much a different vision the police require. The old one
of serving and protecting remains perfectly serviceable.

To come to grips with organized crime, the police need resources --
people -- and a legal system that is prepared to convict. By
comparison with American jurisdictions, Canadian penalties are
pathetically light.

The former is a work in progress: Anybody capable of doing the job
can find employment as well-paid or better, with more job
satisfaction, and less chance of finding him or herself in harm's way.

The latter, meanwhile, is beyond the abilities of Calgary city
council to provide. (It would also help if respectable Calgarians
stopped buying the product that keeps criminals in business: Now,
there's a vision.)

With a municipal election a few months off, it is easy to understand
why King would wish to associate her name with getting tough on crime.

Having written off the police vision, perhaps she will use the
campaign to outline her own, superior, version. Calgary voters wait
with interest.