ED ACCEPTS ALMOST EVERY RECOMMENDATION FROM THE CRIME TASK FORCE

But True Success Will Be Measured In Safer Streets And Unhappy Crooks

In more than three decades as a cop, city police Chief Rick Hanson has
never seen anything like it. The city, Ottawa and now the province are
actually talking about fighting the criminals preying on the public,
and sometimes even starting to do something about it.

"I'm hopeful. I'm enthusiastic. They're saying the right things," says
the city police chief, who has been a breath of fresh air because he
doesn't explain away the idiots and gets the difference between
helping those who truly need help and cracking down on the many pukes
and predators who have had far too many breaks far too long.

Hanson was up in Edmonton yesterday when the provincial government's
task force on crime rolls out their ideas and, unlike efforts in other
areas such as affordable housing and royalties, Premier Ed and his
Tories accept almost every recommendation. They know the polls say
crime is moving up as a pain in the butt preoccupation. The task force
report speaks of crime here as a "dark story."

"The criminal justice system is not working. We're not meeting
Albertans' expectations. They expect offenders to be dealt with
quickly and appropriately. They expect the most serious offenders to
get punishment that fits the crime," says the report.

"We need to be tough on people who commit crimes in
Alberta."

You don't say.

So there are more police officers starting this spring. Don't ask how
many. We don't know. But all the provincial law-and-order loot amounts
to $470 million over three years.

Hanson wants 100 more badges for Calgary, on the beat and as
investigators.

He's got a point. Alberta ranks eighth out of 10 provinces in number
of officers for the population, a sad reality this page has repeated
over the years.

As indicated in a recent interview with Justice Minister Ron Stevens,
the province will flag repeat offenders when they go to court,
including for bail, so these goofs can "receive more focused treatment
and prosecution."

"Too many people are committing crimes over and over again and the
system is like a revolving door. Repeat offenders are caught, charged
and released, only to commit the same crimes again," says the report.

The province will hire six more Crown prosecutors and support staff
and have prosecutors do bail hearings.

They will hike the number of treatment beds for alcoholics, drug
addicts and those addicted and mentally ill.

They will bring in a law allowing the province to seize money and
property if they can prove it was gained through illegal activity and
the dough will compensate victims and pay for crime prevention programs.

They will expand access to courts dealing with domestic violence and
drug treatment and mental health.

And read this ...

We'll see new liquor inspectors to get tough with bars over-serving
and "turning a blind eye to people who are intoxicated and remain in
the bar" and "encouraging excessive drinking" and "serving drinks
after the bar is supposed to be closed" and "selling drugs inside of
bars."

If the bars don't toe the line, in the words of the justice minister,
"their licences will go."

The province will also consider getting rid of regulations now
allowing promotions such as low-cost drinks and contests "that
encourage patrons to drink excessively."

Bush camps and inmate work crews -- those who know who Steve West was
will remember those camps and crews -- are encouraged to get back up
to speed.

Here's the report:

"As long as inmates are not a risk to the community or a risk to
escape, involving them in productive work that benefits the community
is positive not only for the community but for the individual inmates."

The task force also urges Ottawa to send a "clear signal" to judges to
toughen up.

There is also supposed to be a group making sure all this stuff gets
done and this page's nominee is Heather Forsyth, the Calgary Tory MLA
who headed up the task force and did a bang-up job.

Yesterday, Premier Ed sounds very much the guy with grandparents who
came to this province in the 19th century, a man undoubtedly dismayed
at some of what has happened in his province, the loss of tradition
and of community to the ethos of here for a good time, not a long time.

"We will not sacrifice our quality of life or respect for the law," he
says, wanting to make the province "a hostile environment for criminals."

"We are going to lower the boom on crime."

He didn't even have to use the words "creeps and bums."

Stevens, Ed's No. 2 as well as the justice minister, says the changes
in the works will be "significant."

"You will see progress."

Hanson, the police chief, waits.

"It's the promise of things to come.

"I'm really anxious to see how it will shake out. The true test is
what we get and when we get it."

And it is a test Premier Ed, once tagged as unsteady, still under a
lot of scrutiny, can not afford to fail.