TIME TO TACKLE CRIME IN ALBERTA

A report issued yesterday by a nine-member task force examining ways
to keep our communities safer doesn't pull any punches when it comes
to tougher justice for the 15% of hard-core criminals who commit 60%
of the crime.

Nor does the 80-page report indulge in hang-'em-high, lock-'em-up and
throw-away-the-key theatrics.

Contrary to the critics who expressed fears in advance of the report's
release that it would be heavy on punitive measures and gloss over the
root causes of criminal behaviour, this is a well-balanced effort.

Along with tougher laws and enforcement, the study group led by MLA
Heather Forsyth urges measures designed to prevent crime before it
happens.

The report, Keeping Communities Safer, also offers a revealing look at
our attitudes toward crime.

Even though 56% of those who responded to the task force's online
survey indicated crime is a high-priority concern, 93% feel safe or
reasonably safe in their homes after dark and 75% feel reasonably safe
walking alone after dark.

At the same time, 44% believed crime in their neighbourhoods is a
serious problem and 41% said crime had increased in the last three
years.

The reality, according to Statistics Canada, is that Canada's overall
crime rate has dropped to its lowest level in more than 25 years and
one of the largest decreases was in Alberta. Sadly though, the violent
crime rate here has remained lamentably static.

Of course, statistics only record crimes that are reported to police
and Statistics Canada itself suggests as many as two-thirds of crimes
go unreported.

Even so, Alberta recorded the highest rate of violent victimization in
the country in 2004. One-in-four Albertans said they were the victim
of some type of crime in the last year.

Alberta might not be the Wild West when it comes to lawlessness, but
we have a problem -- and it's growing.

Albertans don't need to pore over reams of statistical data to
understand that, they see it with their own eyes when they venture out
in public and hear about it from their friends and neighbours.

Unfortunately, the perception criminals are getting off easier these
days is an accurate one, says the study.

The good news is sentences have increased for homicides, sexual
offences and drug trafficking. The grimmer reality is sentences have
gone down for other crimes that have a bigger impact on our everyday
lives, such as common assault (down 35%) and theft (down 56%).

The task force report says the first priority is to "get tough with
those who commit the crimes, especially those who commit the crimes
over and over again."

But it also acknowledges that "second, and just as important, we need
to get tough on the factors we know contribute directly to crime."

To that end, among its top priorities are proposals to increase the
number of treatment beds for alcoholism and drug addiction, along with
taking action to streamline the criminal justice system and tackle the
problem of repeat offenders.

There are recommendations to hire more crown prosecutors, support
staff and police to handle the growing caseload and also to set up
programs to reduce the risk of youths getting involved with drug use
and gangs.

Of course, mere words alone won't make Albertans sleep safer at night,
or prevent our young citizens from becoming victims of drug addiction
or gang violence.

But to suggest, as the opposition has done, that this is mere tough
talk to improve the Conservatives' standings in the next election is
the height of cynicism.

The task force suggests all Albertans have to work together to make
Alberta a safer place to live -- a piece of advice opposition
politicians should heed.

This complex problem didn't materialize overnight and won't be solved
tomorrow.

We have to begin somewhere and this comprehensive strategy provides an
excellent launching point.