MOST BACK GANG CRACKDOWN: POLL

A new poll shows B.C. residents strongly support a series of proposed
justice reforms to curb gang activity and nearly two-thirds also back
the legalization of marijuana.

Angus Reid Strategies surveyed Canadians across the country and found
at least 95 per cent of the B.C. respondents back mandatory minimum
sentences for serious drug crime like drive-by shootings and
designating gang-related homicide first-degree murder.

The proposed changes are being spearheaded by the federal
Conservative government.

The B.C. government's call to loosen evidence disclosure laws to
allow speedier prosecution of gangsters also got 86 per cent support
in the province. Another 80 per cent here support eliminating the
"dead time" credit that gives criminals two-for-one credit for time
they spend in jail awaiting trial.

Support is weaker for expanded police wiretap powers to intercept
cellphone conversations and other wireless data transmissions-64 per
cent in B.C. were in favour, and 60 per cent nationally.

B.C. was the province most likely to back legalization of
marijuana-64 per cent support the idea, compared to 50 per cent nationally.

Fifty-three per cent from B.C. said the federal Tories shouldn't have
scrapped the marijuana decriminalization legislation previously
introduced by the Liberals.