CRIMINAL CODE IS NOT BEST WAY TO FIGHT GANGS

Re: Police need help fighting gangs, APRIL 27.

I have read with interest the stories about the Ottawa police service's
concerns about gang violence and organized cocaine trafficking in some
parts of our city. I don't disagree that this may be a serious problem that
needs to be addressed, but I question the strategy chosen by our public
officials.

The Citizen reported that police Chief Vince Bevan wants charges under
federal organized-crime law. Ironically, in the same edition, a tiny
article reported that an Ottawa community-based organization, which was
founded to help educate residents about methods of preventing crime, was
disbanded this week ("Crime prevention centre disbands"). The Ottawa Centre
for Crime Prevention had to cease operations after failing to get funds
from Ottawa council during the 2004 budget deliberations.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, I chaired that non-profit organization,
then known as the Crime Prevention Council of Ottawa. It was designed to
promote local crime-prevention strategies and to reduce fear of crime in
the community. The council was funded by the City of Ottawa, and crime
prevention was seen as a responsibility not only of the criminal justice
system but shared equally with housing agencies, social services,
education, youth recreation and the business sector.

From my experience as a former Crown attorney in Ottawa, I know that
simply laying charges under a new section of the Criminal Code will not
solve the problem of gang violence. The criminal justice system is far too
ineffective a tool to accomplish that.

A much broader strategy that addresses the root causes of crime and
involves the community and all agencies working together is required. It is
unfortunate that Ottawa council does not seem to appreciate the important
co-ordinating role that an organization such as the Ottawa Centre for Crime
Prevention can play in such an approach.

Andrejs Berzins,

Ottawa