BEHIND STATISTICS IS ANOTHER REALITY OF CRIME

Crime is an odd thing.

And what seems oddest is how difficult is for us as citizens to gain a
perspective about it.

While figures released in B.C. indicate what we've known for some
years, that crime continues to decline in this province, it is the No.
1 concern of Canadians.

There is no doubt that the first and most important objective remains
fighting crime and it requires the appropriate funding for our police
agencies.

At least in this province statistics show a decreasing likelihood of
being a victim. But then statistics, no matter how optimistic, offer
no comfort to those who have been victimized.

Some want to blame the media for sensationalizing any serious crime
and leaving the impression that we are all at risk. Others blame
politicians who appeal to the lowest common denominator with "get
tough on crime" agendas in order to obtain votes.

Unfortunately, few of us are looking at the criminals, who they are
and why they do what they do.

Both media and politicians are fond of pointing to illegal drugs like
marijuana and cocaine and claiming: "There is the culprit behind crime!"

Crime is much more complicated than that but if we are going to point
to one drug that creates more work for police and the courts it's alcohol.

Far too many Canadians are simply unable to drink responsibly and
Nanaimo is no exception. It's a safe bet to say that the bulk of
matters dealt with by police and the courts on any given day are
alcohol-related.

Of course, those residents in certain Vancouver and Lower Mainland
neighbourhoods watching the body count go up are not exactly thinking
that alcohol is the bigger problem.

Gangs from all over the globe have now joined the Hells Angels in the
frantic effort to bolster profits from organized crime.

Street gangs supplied by groups like the Hells Angels, all with global
ties to import cocaine, heroin and the ingredients to make meth, are
killing each other for illegal profit.

It is no wonder that 52% of those polled by Ipsos Reid for Global TV
said they are "very concerned" about drug activity.

And so they should be. Aside from the street gangs shooting each other
and putting the public at risk, crack and heroin addicts are
committing any crime they can that will bring them the money to
support their habit. And that money goes right back to the gangsters
creating a market for their drugs.

In Nanaimo, we saw the sad case of a young man with a drug debt
coerced by his dealer into robbing a bank. And then we have
prostitution and property crime to keep the money flowing to those
scum we call drug dealers.

While drugs are a very serious concern and problem, they remain only a
small portion of the crimes sponsored by alcohol. By its nature,
alcohol disinhibits. After enough booze, someone who would not
otherwise act on their anger or entitlement may do just that.

The simplest form of such entitled thinking relates to driving. A
drunk person can easily disregard the consequences of getting behind
the wheel. Too many assaults follow the same kind of illogical pattern
when alcohol in excess amounts is added to an otherwise normal person.

The Ipsos Reid poll made one interesting finding: 87% of Canadians
believe their community is a great place to live. And that would
likely be true for Nanaimo.

It's a figure that tells us that Canada mostly remains not only a
peaceful nation but one in which crime-reduction strategies, including
emphasizing rehabilitation over punishment, alternative measures and
youth justice initiatives, are working.

We strive for a society free of crime no matter how far off that goal
may be. In the meantime, we should not forget where we are succeeding
in fighting crime.