CRIME SEIZURE LAW SHOULD BE EXPANDED

A new provincial law that allows police and the courts to take away
the ill-gotten gains of criminals has brought in more than $11 million
worth of property in its first year of operation.

Under the Victims Restitution and Compensation Payment Act, real
estate, cars, cash and other items have been taken out of the hands of
crooks and placed at the disposal of groups that compensate
identifiable victims and organizations that support victims.

The change is good news for law-abiding Albertans and bad news for
organized crime.

"This legislation is doing precisely what it was intended to do," said
Minister of Justice and Attorney General Alison Redford. "Individuals
who choose to victimize our communities are going to face serious
consequences in Alberta.

"If you use your home to produce drugs, you could lose your home. If
you use your car to deliver drugs, you could lose your car. That's the
essence of this law."

The law allows the Civil Forfeiture Office to ask the court to seize
property acquired illegally, as well as property used to carry out
illegal acts. For example, the courts have been able to seize vehicles
used by drug dealers and traffickers - to date, 59 vehicles tied to
the drug trade have been removed from Alberta communities, including
43 in Edmonton.

"These drug runners, known as dial-a-dopers, are one of the most
visible examples of criminal enterprise in our communities," she said.

Edmonton Police Chief Mike Boyd added: "This is a way for law
enforcement to make an impact on criminal activity quickly and
effectively. It's a tool we can use on a regular basis to make streets
safer."

The province says the initial success of the program has a lot to do
with the "effective working relationship" between Alberta's Civil
Forfeiture Office, the RCMP, the RCMP Integrated Proceeds of Crime
Unit (IPOC) and municipal police services across Alberta.

The Stelmach government should be applauded for this new law, which
promises to make life a lot tougher for criminals already in Alberta
and those thinking of setting up shop here.

Now the provincial government should take the new policy one step
further, expanding it to include drunk drivers.

If the police were allowed to seize and sell the vehicles of people
convicted of driving drunk, it would create a very large deterrent to
anyone considering getting behind the wheel while impaired. That, in
turn, would make everyone safer.

And, of course, with thousands and thousands of drunk driving
convictions every year it could also generate a financial windfall of
the first order for organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving.