RCMP INACTION 'A NATIONAL DISGRACE'

The Mounties have to step up to the plate. Last week we heard about a drug
problem and a prison. But it wasn't really about the drugs being thrown
over the penitentiary's razor fence to waiting cons. The problem was, and
is, the ongoing presence of low-end Winnipeg gang members in the adjacent
Village of Stony Mountain. It was more about hoodlums, likely armed and who
have no respect for anything, lurking in the children's park. It was about
punks, who honour violence, prowling in private yards at dusk. It was about
taking off after tossing the drugs, booting it out of town, and the fear
that some youngster might be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was
about residents who are nervous.

It was also about the RCMP and their response.

Last Wednesday, there was a village meeting at the rec centre. There was a
panel of prison officials and prisoner advocates. Rural councillor Greg
Popoff was there. So was Ralph Eicher, the local MLA. A member of the RCMP
was there, but not at the head table.

And this problem was on the minds of many. Discussion started with a
philosophical wherefore and why of prisoner drug use. And then some talk
about environmental solutions -- more lights, trim the bushes -- to make it
harder for the gangbangers to skulk. Giving prison authorities more power
would be useful, some thought. Turning the village into a gated community
was suggested. A small Citizen-on-Patrol contingent thought more members
would help.

Most of the attention was saved for the RCMP. Frustrated residents wanted
to know where the RCMP is when these miscreants come to town. Moreover, why
the RCMP doesn't show when the call for help is made. The citizenry wanted
to know why, after years and years, they are forced to put up with punks
who have no concept of consequence and no qualms about resorting to
violence. They wanted to know why, after years and years, gangsters could
still comfortably lie in wait on private property listening for the signal
to make their drug throws.

The lone Mountie was an easy target, even without his red serge. Folks were
edgy. They wanted somebody with serious rank. Somebody with decision-making
power. Somebody they could hold to true account.

The residents will consider the environmental suggestions. But they want
immediate relief. For that they need much more than Citizens-on-Patrol.
They need the assurance of fully trained, fully armed police officers --
note the plural -- to deal with these traffickers. Without them, disaster
is only a kid-on-a-bike away.

Some are following the panel's suggestion and have begun a letter-writing
campaign. In a blunt letter sent to the RCMP's provincial commanding
officer, feelings are made clear calling it "a national disgrace" that
drugs can be casually tossed into a federal penitentiary for years, without
a hint of a proactive measure from the RCMP.

The letter makes no apologies stating, "The community has lost faith in the
justice system, specifically the RCMP, and is on the verge of vigilantism."
That writer is fearful that there will be the inevitable confrontation, and
someone will suffer serious injury or that some child will be mowed down as
the get-away car takes off. And the letter notes "a significant degree of
liability on the RCMP for their failure to protect the public," given the
many reported incidents over the years.

I tried to contact Darrell Madill, Commanding Officer for the RCMP in
Manitoba. Not surprisingly he's well insulated. I was filtered down to Cpl.
Joanne Ryll of the Criminal Operations section. She advised me of a meeting
set for Oct. 7 designed to seek out solutions. It's to include a number of
stakeholders, including area federal MP James Bezan, local RCMP members,
prison officials and, of course, residents.

Ryll was filled in on last week's meeting including the resolute requests
and the real need for senior ranking RCMP members to peel away some of
their insulation and meet the people. She said she'd pass that along.

I also gave her a head's up. The people want some action. Not just more
talk. She assured that there were some proactive measures in the works. Not
a token measure. Not a symbolic gesture.

A provincial justice official said they are aware of the problem and that
they had been in contact with the RCMP and had been assured that something
is being done.

Some gangs and their members are completely out of control. "Just nuts," as
one Winnipeg cop said during a recent Sun series. Some are so far off the
wall that being viciously beaten is part of their initiation. Violence is
part of any gang member's life, and nobody needs to be reminded that their
reality has meant havoc, heartbreak and needless death in Winnipeg.

The Village of Stony Mountain doesn't want to find out what that's like.
Who can blame them?

Robert Marshall was a police officer for 27 years.