VISITING 'TOP COP' PROMISES TOUGHER PENALTIES

B. C. has become the preferred area for crime in North America and
will be stepping up its laws and increasing penalties as a result,
B.C.'s "top cop", Solicitor General Rich Coleman told a Delta Chamber
of Commerce luncheon yesterday, Nov. 27.

Speaking at the Coast Tsawwassen Inn, Coleman said both small-time and
organized crime were locating in B.C. but said he believes the tide
can be turned to make the province less hospitable by implementing new
laws that will both increase penalties and enable seizure of assets.

Coleman said this works, citing the example that it currently takes
seven drug convictions before a person is incarcerated in B.C., which
deals with more than 3,000 marijuana grow op busts in the Fraser
Valley alone each year.

In Whatcom County in Washington State, Coleman said authorities there
handle a fraction of that amount.

The difference?

Coleman said a first conviction south of the border results in a
three-month jail term and seizure of assets.

Coleman warned communities cannot live in isolation, believing crime
is restricted to boundaries on a map. He added the issue has to be met
head on by a combination of public action as well as improved and
integrated law enforcement agencies.

He encouraged the public to attend upcoming meetings when his ministry
will embark on a community dialogue early in 2004, providing the
public an opportunity to voice their concerns over crime. He also
encouraged the public to play a more prominent role in their own
communities and neighbourhoods to help stamp out crime.

He added one of the biggest challenges to counter criminal activity is
being satisfied with the status quo.

That's why B.C. is pushing forward with PRIME, an integrated computer
information system that will help police react faster and more
efficiently. He explained the new technology, a first in North
America, will link police forces to a common database that will not be
impeded by jurisdictional boundaries -- just one of the tools linking
police agencies together to jointly investigate crimes.