LATE FOR THE WAR

Look out! Mayor Bill Smith's on the warpath! The Edmonton mayor's pledge to
police Chief Bob Wasylyshen and the Edmonton Police Commission to do
"whatever it takes" to conduct a war on drugs sounds like a bold and
decisive move.

Edmontonians are not only fed up, they're genuinely worried about the rash
of gangland-style murders and other violent incidents in the city recently.
Police feel that much of this activity is a direct result of crystal meth
usage and addiction.

Smith said he's "quite confident" he can convince his fellow council members
that the police budget must be substantially increased to meet this new
threat. Even though 18 cents of every city tax dollar is now being spent on
the police service, the police commission has already pencilled in a 5.5%
boost on the city budget wish list.

It should also be noted that this is the beginning of the City Hall silly
season where department managers vie with each other to concoct the largest
and most exotic budget demands in hopes that the dim-witted councillors
bite.

Certainly, Chief Wasylyshen makes a good argument for more money in light of
the recent high-profile murders and attacks, some involving police officers
and their vehicles.

But, then again, violent crime involving drugs is hardly new in Edmonton.
Nor is organized crime. To have a drug-manufacturing and distribution system
by its very nature requires an organization.

While these may not be crime families in the sense of the Mafia, they still
require a structure and chain of command to make them work.

That's why the mayor's sudden realization we have a problem is not only
curious but distressing.

If Smith didn't know until now that the city has a drug and gang problem,
then what does it say about him being in touch with his city?

And if he did know but has only chosen to launch his crusade now that it
appears there are forces at work trying to deny him another three years in
the mayor's office, then it simply looks like political expediency.

In the eyes of many constituencies, Smith has numerous political sins to
atone for.

From a strictly budget perspective, Smith has been a disappointment in
living up to his early promises as a fiscal conservative. And his claim to
be a business-friendly mayor is now being seriously questioned in the
hospitality sector because of his utter devotion to the Draconian smoking
bylaw.

We agree, drug-related gang violence is a scourge. But it's been going on
for years. Where has Bill Smith been?