CRIME AND YOUTH SHOULD BE ON ELECTION RADAR

While following the ward profiles in this paper for the upcoming
municipal election, I've watched what issues both candidates and
residents think are important.

Health care, taxes, jobs, economic development, tourism - a 'wish
list' of real concerns.

Strangely, there's been almost no mention of crime, policing or youth
issues.

I believe a community plagued by crime (especially, drug-related) will
have a tough time attracting new business and new residents.

It doesn't help tourism, either.

For weeks, we've reported on multi-million dollar marijuana grow
operation busts. Police have come up against armed suspects and booby
traps and warned the public to be careful walking in the woods.

The property crimes that drive the drug trade on a daily basis might
not be increasing in number, but the boldness (of the thieves) and the
dollar loss is significant.

We've also seen more incidents involving guns. Police are finding
them, not only in drug busts but even during traffic stops.

Both police forces have expressed concern about the number of guns and
hardcore drugs they're seeing in this community.

Grow ops and meth labs (for certain, they're next) threaten the safety
of police and public alike.

All of it threatens the very life of a community.

Anyone who doesn't think big-city crime is coming here is in the Stone
Age, and the only way to fight back is with more 'Crime Stoppers' (us)
and more cops.

For the program to be successful, the public must phone in the tips
and the police must follow them up.

That brings me to the subject of young people: most of our kids are
good. They might not have a lot to keep them here but we still have an
obligation to keep them safe. That means eradicating crime, especially
drug crime, at every opportunity.

But, that means having enough police officers in both forces to do the
job; it's a big City to police.

I think this election could be one of the most important ever. But,
the subject of cops, crime and community safety hasn't even come up.

If we make our communities a 'criminal's nighmare', businesses and
families will want to come here.

And that gives us a real head start on dealing with the 'wish list.'