THE DENIAL GAME

Violent crime is going up and more people severely beaten

So we're No. 2.

Frankly I'm a little surprised we aren't No. 1, and I'm not talking
Slurpee capital either.

In a recent article Maclean's magazine, it listed Winnipeg as the
second most dangerous municipality in the country.

Of course some say the stats are misleading, or out of date, but if
Maclean's had said we were the second safest place in the nation, I'm
sure those critical of the article wouldn't be so hung up on slamming
the stats.

Talk to any front-line paramedic, ER nurse or police officer and
they'll all tell you the same thing. Violent crime is going up.
People are getting severely beaten, stabbed or shot with ever
increasing frequency.

Why is it happening?

The answer is simple, drugs, gangs and guns. Almost every crime can
be tied to some type of drug usage, whether an attack committed by
some drug-crazed perp, a gas station holdup to get enough cash for
the next fix, or a gang war drive by as they fight over drug dealing turf.

So we are No. 2, what can we do?

1. Zero tolerance for gang members. Take a look at the success we've
had with the auto theft strategy, one of the cornerstones of which
has been to target the worst of the worst and have them arrested for
every single breach of bail or probation condition until the judges
are forced to keep them locked up.

It's worked so well for auto theft that we've reduced auto theft
rates by roughly 70% since 2004 and it can work for the gangs, too.
We just need to make sure we allocate enough resources to do it right.

2. Hit them in the pocketbook. Gangs operate to make money, beef up
the units assigned to seize criminal assets and hit gangs where it
will hurt the most, in the wallet.

3. Have intense addiction treatments while in custody for those who
commit crimes to fuel drug addiction.

Implement the ideas of front-line corrections officers in tightening
up to keep drugs out of jails. While you're at it, no more cell
blocks dedicated to specific gangs.

SERIOUS TIME

If you're a convict you go to the next available cell -- regardless
of your gang affiliation. No more chillin' with the homies while you
repay your debt to society.

4. Use or possess a gun? Automatic serious jail time with no bail or
double time credit.

5. Carrot or the stick. Those gangsters with no demonstrated desire
to rehabilitate get serious time -- we are talking decades here.

Those that want to flip and become Crown witnesses get enrolled in a
beefed-up witness protection program so they don't have to worry
about gang retaliation.

What shouldn't we do?

Downplay the problem, or criticize those who identify the serious
issues we are facing.

If those with the power to take action simply try and suppress the
bad news, the gangs will continue to laugh and profit from the
drug-fuelled violence that will continue to plague our streets.

What will it take to get action?

Maybe we have to be No. 1.