A CANADIAN EXAMPLE

In the mid 1990s Montreal was having a serious crime wave when rival
biker gangs began to car-bomb and kill each other (sometimes in broad
daylight) as well as injuring/killing innocent bystanders. It took
some time, but the province didn't sit on its hands and pass the
blame to the federal government. They began by forming an anti-gang
task force and targeted the gangs and drug dealers who were the
source of the problem. To use the term "gun crime" is to confuse the
issue. Firearms don't commit crimes -- it's the drug dealers and
gangs that are the problem. Your editorial ("Playing with stats while
bullets fly," July 5) makes a valid point -- that the current
situation "isn't some complex social issue that is beyond the power
of Mayor David Miller, Premier Dalton McGuinty, and their
administrations to address." Why aren't Miller, McGuinty and their
administrations consulting with their Montreal counterparts? Why are
they not providing the tools for the police to enforce our current
laws, instead of passing the buck to the feds?

Richard Pereira

Dorval, Que.

(They keep talking about it, but we're still waiting for results)