PUBLIC, RCMP NEED HELP TO COMBAT CRIME

There's a lot of frustration in this community when it comes to crime,
particularly crimes relating to drugs and young people.

That was clearly evident at last week's community policing forum, where
prominent public figures were able to vent their concerns.

Most are fed up with the evolving door justice system that continues
putting young offenders back on the street with little or no deterreance.

They are fed up with the rising number of drug deals, often taking place in
plain sight. The dealers ply their trade with impunity. And they are fed up
with being victimized, suffering property damage, break-ins, vandalism,
auto thefts and threatening behaviour right here in their own community.

Sadly, many of these concerns are not new. We've heard them all before,
particularly at similar forums held in past years.

Although there have been more proactive initiative taken to steer troubled
teens away from criminal activity and organizations like Citizens on Patrol
formed to act as additional eyes and ears for the community's police force,
the truth is (as some attendees pointed out) solid, effective improvements
won't happen until the justice system itself begins to address these
problems, and then mete out the sorts of consequences that will discourage
illegal behaviour, rather than emboldening it.

While municipalities have more power now to curtail crime using bylaws and
other enforcement, it should be the duty of the courts, not the councils,
to protect the public.

The community and the RCMP have taken a number of steps to combat crime,
but this year, as in previous years, its clear we need some help.