END OF THE INNOCENCE

The city of Ottawa's latest murder -- the 11th of the year -- was
distressing on two fronts. Not only did a young man lose his life
when it had barely begun, but the tragedy has brought us face-to-face
once again with the reality of our city's increasingly violent underside.

By all accounts, 22-year-old Mohamed Jassem Zalal was a man who had
had his problems with the law.

Friends acknowledge that he had been involved with the notorious
Ledbury-Banff Crips -- one of at least half a dozen of what police
consider hard core criminal gangs operating within Ottawa. Police
allege the gang's activities include everything from shootings and
stabbings to drug dealing and prostitution.

That's a disturbing image to consider in our city, where we have
always felt safely removed from the guns and violence that we
associate in our minds with "dangerous" places like Los Angeles and
Detroit; maybe even Toronto or Montreal.

Somewhere along the way, though, Ottawa has lost its innocence, and
while we're not suggesting it's time to hit the panic button, we want
to see the police crack down before the problems get any more severe.

There are indications that they are doing exactly that, with our
local police force preparing to roll out a combined gangs and guns
unit of 10 officers next month.

That's a good start, but we're hopeful that whoever becomes Ottawa's
next chief of police will take a personal interest in the street
gangs issue and ensure that if more money and manpower are required,
they will be found.

Our city is a long way removed from the level of violence witnessed
during the past couple of years in Toronto, and we want to see it
remain that way.

We get worried, though, when a senior cop warns us that gangs are
growing stronger and more dangerous in Ottawa, and that past measures
to control them are not working.

"It is a growing problem," says Sgt. John Medeiros. "It's a
complicated problem to deal with."

Unless we crack down and gain control now, it's terrifying to
consider what the future may hold.