ORGANIZED CRIME COSTING BILLIONS, POLICE CHIEFS TOLD

Ottawa must provide resources to fight criminal groups, conference
hears

HAMILTON -- Organized crime is a multi-billion dollar enterprise in
this country and the federal government must develop a plan to fight
it, Canada's police chiefs say.

York Region's Chief Julian Fantino said an infrastructure is needed to
allow law enforcement, nationally and internationally, to destroy
organized crime.

"We need to have the resources in place that will help us dedicate the
people to sustain long-term investigations that are necessary to
attack organized crime," Fantino said.

He said criminal groups target the most vulnerable in society, young
and old. Telemarketing frauds victimize seniors and young people are
being sold drugs in schoolyards, he added.

An organized clime study prepared by the federal solicitor-general's
department suggests the illicit drug trade is worth $10 billion and
that telemarketing fraud is a $4 billion industry.

"Everything is profit-motivated," Fantino said. "It doesn't matter
what the commodity is, as long as there's money to be made, organized
crime will be there."

During a closed-door session yesterday at the 94th annual Canadian
Association of Chiefs of Police conference, delegates stressed the
need for the government to provide the tools and necessary legislation
for a concerted attack on organized crime.

The police chiefs also called on the federal government to maintain
Canada's Drug Strategy and endorsed the need for gun controls.

Waterloo police Chief Larry Gravell, who was named president of the
Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police yesterday, said delegates
believe the issues of gun control, drug legislation and fighting
organized crime will have a substantial effect in keeping guns and
drugs from the hands of children.

Vancouver deputy police Chief Brian McGuinness said even people who
are smuggled into Canada in hopes of having a new life are forced into
crime to pay back the organized criminals who brought them here.

They are used as drug couriers, in the sex trade and even in
shoplifting operations, he said.

Also at the conference, recently retired Winnipeg police Chief Dave
Cassels said police chiefs believe Canada's proposed Firearms Act
provides a balance between the need for public safety and the needs of
farmers, hunters and sport shooters.

"This legislation will lead to a reduction in firearm deaths and
contribute to police officer safety across Canada," he said.

Cassels said police chiefs across the country have endorsed the
establishment of a gun registry and suggested the requirement to
register weapons will curb the illegal gun trade.

At a dinner last night, provincial Solicitor-General David Tsubouchi
endorsed a call by the police chiefs that anyone 16 and older should
be treated as an adult for serious offences.

"AduIt time for adult crime," Tsubouchi said.

Tsubouchi said his government believes youths under age 12 should be
prosecuted for certain serious or violent offences and there should be
mandatory custody for youths convicted of offences involving the use
of a weapon.

"I believe the public, and I'm included in that, are sick and tired of
young criminals getting a break," he said.

Tsubouchi said he has become more concerned about the federal
government's soft approach for all criminals.

"They're talking about early releases and softening penalties," he
said. "We need tougher sentences against violent criminals."