COMMUNITY TURNS OUT FOR SAFETY FORUM

About 100 people turned out last week to learn more about how they
can help make their community safer.

"This is what community is all about," said Mayor Iris Callioux. "All
of you coming out to make sure our community is safe."

Last Wednesday's Community Safety Forum, hosted jointly by RCMP, the
Town of Peace River and Northern Sunrise County, featured MacEwan
College criminologist Bill Pitt, who emphasized the strategic
importance of the Peace region to the drug trade, particularly
because of the access to British Columbia.

"They produce some of the most potent weed in the world and Americans
love it," Pitt said. "We don't really enforce it very well. The dope
of B.C. is in great demand."

He stressed since Prince Rupert's port opened in September of 2007,
more organized crime is active in the area. "Sixty-five per cent of
the people who work on the ports have a criminal record. The Hells
Angels run the ports."

Pitt said that criminal element is well aware the northern regions
aren't policed as well as urban areas. "They know we're
under-policed. Their intelligence is decidedly better than the police."

"Organized crime looks at the strategic area, northern B.C., northern
Alberta, and how they can maximize the potential."

He said Canada is ranked 26 our of 28 in the world in terms of money
put into policing, adding Italy is number one, and the U.S. number
three. "We're going to have to pay for it."

He stressed, however, the community needs to step up and take
ownership. "(The police) can't do it folks. They can't do it without you.

"If you want to maximize your effect in your community you have to
get involved. That's your community, not some lowlife drug dealer's."

Pitt also emphasized the police need to change how they do business,
but added that is a slow process. "It's like moving an elephant."

He said the provincial sheriffs are a benefit when it comes to
traffic enforcement, but their abilities are limited. "They're
growing, but they're incredibly young."

Increased traffic enforcement, however, is key to halting the
movement of drugs. "It's one of those things that really uncovers the
drug trade. If you want to bring drugs in form B.C., they're going to drive."

Gaining a new perspective on crime, he said is key to making a safer
community, as is taking ownership. "When people come into your town,
they get the message, 'this is my community.'"