NO QUICK FIX IN SIGHT FOR CRIME REDUCTION THROUGHOUT ALBERTA

The symposiums have been over since the spring but the consultations
and research gathering has continued for Crime Reduction and Safe
Communities Task Force chairperson Heather Forsyth.

She was in the process last week of wrapping up the fact gathering
process for the task force's final report which she estimated should
be ready for submission to Justice Minister Ron Stevens by the end of
September. But, said Forsyth, don't expect miracles right off the bat.

"We want the report to be solid and doable. It's been a major
undertaking - enjoyable but sad and happy. We've got a huge job ahead
of us. People have to understand they're not going to see immediate
results."

Forsyth added while the input from the public sessions was helpful the
report and its final recommendations probably wouldn't be able to "fix
things right away."

Common themes from the symposiums which included an Edson session
were:

* Prevalance of all drugs and their link to crime - especially
alcohol, cocaine and marijuana;

* Need for more resources to deal with addictions and mental health issues;

* Incidence of domestic violence;

* Frustration over the inability to properly deal with with repeat
offenders and the feeling that sentencing was too lenient;

* Need to deal more effectively with young offenders;

* Continued struggle to keep Alberta roads safe from reckless or
impaired drivers;

* Impact of gangs and related drugs and violence, especially in
aboriginal communities;

* Overall economic and population growth pressures and a lack of
community engagement; and,

* Family pressures and poor parenting skills.

Forsyth admitted that the youth gang problem would not be an easy one
to solve.

"You take two steps forward and one step down and another shoots up."

Forsyth said crime, especially major crime, can appear anywhere and
not just in the big cities. She cited the triple murder in Medicine
Hat where a 12-year-old girl and her 24-year-old boyfriend were
accused of killing her parents and sibling as an example of what can
happen even in a relatively small city. Forsyth said she was all too
used to people saying, after a crime had been committed in a smaller
center that they had been surprised that it could happen in their
neighbourhood.

"It's the philosophy [of] not in my backyard."

Stevens said a successful crime reduction strategy hinged on small
measures not large ones like hiring more police, lawyers and judges.

"The best solutions, the most effective solutions, are found in
communities, implemented in communities, and achieved in communities,"
Stevens said.

"The task force has done a remarkable job of engaging Albertans in
this important process."