PREMIER VOWS 'PUSH' TO FIGHT CRIME

Criminologist Calls Stelmach's Tough Talk Rhetoric

With gun and gang violence sparking public anxiety, Premier Ed
Stelmach vowed Saturday at his party's annual convention he'll "push
the envelope" on fighting crime -- including pressuring Ottawa and
the Supreme Court to act more decisively.

However, the tough talk was denounced by a criminal law expert who
said Stelmach's warning is "rhetoric" and part of a "disturbing"
trend by politicians at all levels of government to deflect the blame
on the important public issue.

Tired of what he insists are legal impediments to fighting crime,
Stelmach said his government is looking at bail reforms and will
introduce new legislation by the spring that will enable police to
get into drug and prostitution houses more quickly.

At the same time, Alberta Justice Minister Alison Redford argued the
federal Criminal Code must be updated to prevent any real or
perceived revolving-door justice.

"We're going to push the envelope as the province of Alberta,"
Stelmach told hundreds of party members gathered in Jasper.

"We're going to push the federal government. We're going to push the
Supreme Court, and we're going to get into the drug houses and the
prostitution houses a heck of a lot quicker than we are today," Stelmach said.

"I dare any judge to come ahead and tell us we can't do it."

Stelmach said he's compelled to act by what is sometimes an
ineffective justice system, particularly when he sees repeat
offenders back on the streets only hours after being charged.

Gut-wrenching stories -- such as the Brazilian bystander who was
blinded for life following a recent shooting incident in Calgary --
are more reason to demand changes to the system, he said.

"We're not going to be afraid to challenge what is in the existing
legislation," the premier later told reporters.

But criminologist Doug King said Stelmach, like other politicians, is
simply trying to pass the buck on the crime file because nobody wants
to take responsibility for ensuring safe streets.

Mayor Dave Bronconnier has been pleading with Stelmach to double the
100 new officers the province promised to Calgary over the next three
years, in an effort to curb the spate of gun and gang violence.

The premier, however, maintains reforms are needed to the justice
system, because too many criminals are slipping through legal loopholes.

"You can't just pressure the Supreme Court of Canada. How do you do
that?" said King, instructor at Mount Royal College.

"That's rhetoric. . . . It sounds to me like it's deflecting (the
blame) outside the province to find out why things aren't going so
well in Alberta in terms of gun and gang activity."

Nevertheless, Alberta's justice minister said she's pushing for the
federal Criminal Code to be amended so there's clearer guidelines for
judges, because different interpretations of the law result in some
repeat offenders being let out on bail.

"People are not as prepared to sit back and say, 'I trust these
institutions to do everything in the public interest,' " Redford
said. "They're saying 'We better re-examine here what we consider
acceptable in our society.'"