POLICING NOT THE ANSWER: ADVOCATES

Social Groups Say Homeless Need Programs

The city should be developing more social programs to deal with
homelessness and addiction, instead of throwing more money into
front-line policing, say local advocates.

Responding to Mayor Dave Bronconnier's state of the city address on
Tuesday, Ald. Joe Ceci said city council needs to funnel more money
into social services and community infrastructure as a proactive
solution to Calgary's crime problems.

"If we only look at one end of an approach . . . we're in a reactive
position," Ceci said Wednesday. "The simplest thing to say is that we
need more police. It's not that simple a thing. It's not a one size fits all."

In his fifth annual speech to Calgarians, Bronconnier said there need
to be additional resources for emergency services such as police,
fire and bylaw to offset the city's crime rate. He also said the city
needs more money from the province to deal with the problems before
they get out of control.

Bronconnier said Wednesday his call for more police officers
encompasses all areas of enforcement, including public safety and prevention.

"It's not that it was overlooked. Public safety is everyone's
business," he said. "I think sometimes people undervalue the value of
prevention."

Bronconnier said many front-line officers are already involved in
street-level social programs such as crime prevention. Many officers,
he said, also actively participate in programs dealing with at-risk youth.

The head of the Calgary Police Association said the city needs to get
the force up to full staff before it considers expanding any social
programs that involve more officers.

Al Koenig said while he is supportive of the programs, the police
service is facing a critical time in its history.

"Our street deployment is strained. Now we're behind the eight ball,"
said Koenig. "We may be moving into crisis mode. We're not
sufficiently staffed on the front line yet, so I don't think it's
wise to look at the social issues."

Dermot Baldwin of the Calgary Drop-In Centre said street people are
all but overlooked by the city when it comes to funding and attention.

He said Calgary's growth has overshadowed the needs of the less fortunate.

"Definitely we're left out. There's no doubt about it. There's no
tolerance for people who are mentally ill or addicted."