MHPS FORCE ON TOP OF ORGANIZED CRIME

Sadly, several gang related murders have kicked off the new year in
Calgary. The 2008 murder rate for Calgary was 3.7 per 100,000 well above
the national average of 1.8.

The increasingly alarming rate of gang related murders in Cowtown is
finally getting people to do something about organized crime. Calgary
police have stepped up to the plate and said they will work harder than
before getting gangs off Calgary streets. They have doubled their violent
crime suppression team and committed to putting pressure on families of
gang members, but is it too little, too late?

Cathy Prowse a Calgary based gang expert recently said, "Regrettably for
Calgary, we probably got in the game at least five years too late. We were
five years too late in recognizing the structure that was already
established. We lost valuable time gathering that intelligence."

Like with most of life's concerns, gang problems should be dealt with
early on and in a direct and aggressive manner. Organized crime should be
stopped before it sets deep roots into the community.

Hatters won't be waiting until it's too late, according to Medicine Hat
Chief of Police Andy McGrogan.

At the 2009 regimental parade, McGrogan said "We will continue to wage the
war against illegal drugs by obstructing and dismantling organized crime."

Thankfully the Medicine Hat Police Force has identified an area of concern
and pledged to do something about organized crime, without waiting until
several gang related murders take place.

Critics might argue that the police service isn't well funded enough or
staffed properly to take on such a large project but resources have a
funny way of being made available if the need is great enough.

As long as McGrogan keeps organized crime a priority in this city, we
should sit tight and let the police do their job.

Zoe Szuch is a reporter with The News.