TACKLING THE PROBLEMS UNDERLYING CRIME

Sentences should go up with the number of convictions to cut the
impact of theft by chronic offenders

The recent spate of gang-related shootings in Greater Vancouver has
resulted in distress, revulsion and fear among the public. However,
this violence is only the tip of the iceberg. Gangsters' disputes over
turf and profits are symptomatic of deeper problems that have existed
for many years.

A key factor in the situation is addiction to illicit drugs. The need
for money to pay for these drugs underlies crimes affecting the
law-abiding population.

In particular, property crime is a major means by which addicts raise
the money to pay for their drugs. Several years ago the Vancouver
Board of Trade calculated that at that time, losses from property
crime in Vancouver alone totalled approximately $125 million annually.
Of that, residents suffered losses totalling roughly $100 million,
with business and other organizations sustaining the remainder.

Information gathered by police indicates that addicts require up to
$100 or more daily for the purchase of drugs. Typically, stolen
property might yield the thief 10 per cent of the replacement cost of
the property.

In addition, costs to repair damages caused by theft, such as broken
car windows, can add substantially to the cost. It is easy to see how
the cost of property crime can accumulate to huge amounts.

The Vancouver Board of Trade strongly believes that a key step towards
reducing crime in Vancouver and in Canada is to take stronger action
with respect to the chronic offenders who steal to support their addictions.

In 1971, Ottawa changed the approach taken towards convicted
criminals. The minister responsible stated in the House of Commons
that ". . . we have decided from now on to stress the rehabilitation
of individuals rather than the protection of society." This approach
has prevailed ever since.

The rationale stated for this change was that at least 80 per cent of
inmates can be rehabilitated. However, this simplistic approach does
not deal with the remainder of the criminal population, where efforts
at rehabilitation generally are not successful.

That small group appears to be responsible for a large amount of the
crime inflicted upon the citizens of Canada as well as businesses and
other organizations in this country.

To reduce crime, Canada needs to deal more strongly with chronic crime
offenders who routinely receive light sentences that do not escalate
with the number of convictions.

Increasing and escalating prison sentences might provide a greater
deterrent to these criminals and at the least will protect the public
by preventing these criminals from victimizing more citizens.

The problem of chronic offenders is illustrated by the results of an
analysis carried out by the Vancouver police department. It reported
it was monitoring 379 chronic offenders who on average had 39
convictions during the period 2001 to 2006, for a total of nearly
15,000 convictions. Most chronic offenders are middle-aged, and have
been stealing for decades to fund drug addiction.

The Vancouver Board of Trade strongly supports the request of the VPD
that the federal government enact sentencing provisions that escalate
with the number of convictions.

Coupled with that should be a comprehensive approach that provides
more and better treatment for drug addicts and supports other
prevention measures. The recently announced extension of funding for
the Vancouver Drug Treatment Court is a welcome step in that direction.

The simple fact is this: If repeat offenders are not on the street,
they can't break into our houses and businesses, steal our cars and
threaten our safety. The justice system needs to focus on the rights
and freedoms of victims as well as the rights and freedoms of criminals.

The recent spate of gang shootings is a symptom of the underlying drug
situation. With or without shootings, criminal gangs will continue to
profit unless the underlying addiction problems are dealt with.
Drug-related crime at all levels must be an urgent priority for government.

Dave Park is the former chief economist of the Vancouver Board of
Trade.