MANY QUESTIONS RAISED BY POLICE KILLINGS

Last week, the country reeled in shock at the news that four members of the
RCMP had been murdered. Our first reaction was to wonder how this could
have happened -- four well-trained police officers shot down by a lone
killer. We are still wondering. Apparently, the police were on his property
to assist the bailiff in seizing a truck, and in the process, discovered a
marijuana grow operation. That information raises more questions than it
answers. The information we have been given -- that the man had a long
history of violent behaviour and criminal activity, and hated the police --
has answered none of our questions. Why was he armed to the teeth? And what
was the man doing wandering around loose, considering his history?

The tragedy has led to renewed debate on a number of issues. Among them is
Canada's controversial gun registry and even this country's policy on gun
control. The people who have argued against the gun registry seem to have
their proof that anyone, no matter what his criminal record, can easily
acquire all the fire power he wants.

Be that as it may, the killing of the officers makes a strong case for the
argument that certain types of weapons should be illegal, and that certain
people should be prohibited from owning any kind of firearm. It is a matter
of enforcing our laws.

Another issue is marijuana grow operations. Some high-ranking government
officials deny any connection between such operations, and decriminalizing
small amounts of the drug. They even go so far as to say that
decriminalizing minor possession would get the drug out of the hands of
organized crime. That argument may have held water 20 years ago but not
now. The fact is, most marijuana grow houses these days are operated by
gangs of organized criminals. It is a lucrative business, and one they will
not easily give up. The individuals who operate grow houses may not all be
psychotic killers, but they are not nice people.

While there were only 20 plants found at the scene of this crime -- hardly
a grow operation -- the disturbing fact is marijuana grow houses are not
located in urban slums but in quiet, rural communities like our own. We
could be living next door to a house that is owned by well-armed criminals
who may live elsewhere but visit the property on a regular basis. Such
houses routinely have doors and windows rigged to kill or injure intruders.
Crude bypasses enabling the operators to steal the huge amounts of
electricity needed for an indoor grow operation create a fire hazard. When
the criminals move their operation to another site, the value of the house
is lowered, if not destroyed, by mould and rotting beams from the high
moisture.

Careful thought should be given to the message being sent by
decriminalizing minor possession, not to mention slap-on-the-wrist
sentences for production of the drug.

And then there is the question of sentences for people who are so violent
they frighten even their own families. Society is not being served by laws
that allow dangerous criminals to serve a small portion of their sentences
before returning to the streets.

While all these matters are debated, and the tragedy investigated, we must
keep in mind that none of it will be of any consolation to the families and
friends of the slain officers, and their police comrades right across the
country. Our hearts go out to them all.