CRIME FORUM DEALS WITH CONCERNS RANGING FROM GROW OPS TO
HOMELESSNESS

The province's top two law enforcement officials were in Coquitlam
Monday to take part in an interactive community forum examining B.C.'s
judicial system and issues specific to the northeast sector.

Attorney General Wally Oppal and John Les, the province's solicitor
general and minister of public safety, were flanked by a wide array of
community officials in the Coquitlam council chambers to address
concerns ranging from property crime to homelessness.

"For us, this is a very valuable type of forum that enables us to hear
directly from the community," Les said.

"It's always interesting to hear from the community about how they
perceive justice issues and other issues pertaining to their community."

Organized by Port Moody-Westwood MLA Iain Black, the two-hour-long
forum was attended by mayors from Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and
Belcarra, while Coun. Mike Bowen represented Port Coquitlam council.

Regional council and school board members, RCMP officials and
representatives from local service groups and community associations
were also on hand.

The idea behind Monday's forum was borne about a year ago, when Black
attended a similar meeting with former federal Justice Minister Vic
Toews.

"That was a very compelling meeting and I drew my inspiration (for
Monday's forum) from that meeting," Black said.

"The idea was to bring together, for the first time, the attorney
general and the solicitor general to share their views on policing and
law enforcement.

"And above that, it was an opportunity to hear from the community to
learn about their various concerns."

Community members in attendance - the event was invitation-only -
filled out questionnaires prior to the forum.

Their queries dealt with topics ranging from restorative justice and
the evolution of the justice system, to linkages between drug abuse,
homelessness and property crime.

"People in the community asked some pretty blunt questions," Black
said.

"It didn't get political, and that was very refreshing. This gave us a
chance for a very interesting and frank exchange."

Toward the end of Monday's proceedings, Les fielded a question from an
area resident who scrutinized the relationship between landlords and
tenants when dealing with marijuana grow operations.

"If you're a landlord, you have to do proper and regular inspections,"
Les said. "That's the reality out there."

Les said the task at hand now for the provincial government will be to
work in conjunction with Black to try and address some of the concerns
raised at Monday's forum.