B.C. To Push Feds For Help Fighting Gangs

Wednesday, November 14, 2007 03:57 AM

The Federal and Provincial Justice Ministers will be huddling in Winnipeg today through Friday.

B.C.'s Attorney General , Wally Oppal, will be bringing his wish list, which includes:

increased efforts to apprehend and prosecute gang members,
more money from Ottawa to fight crime and
mandatory sentences for gun violence.

"We're working with police agencies to turn up the heat on combating gang activity in B.C.," said Oppal. "We need Ottawa's help in making sure that they are prosecuted and that the courts are backed up by laws that recognize the seriousness of gang violence. I'll also be seeking clarification on B.C.'s share of the federal government's recent
announcement for new police officers."

BC's anti-gang priorities at the federal-provincial conference include:
* pushing for Criminal Code amendments making gang murder a first-degree offence;
* supporting Bill C-2's mandatory jail terms for illegal and prohibited firearm possession; and
* facilitating cross-jurisdictional return of fugitives and cracking down on warrant evasion.

Legal aid and violence against women will also be important issues at the conference.

The Federal Government has not increased it's legal aid funding since 2004, and the Province will also be pressing for Criminal Code changes so police can testify
on behalf of victims of domestic violence who are reluctant or refuse to testify.

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Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 03:57 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: REALIST on November 14 2007 7:48 AM

Good luck, Harper just gave away the ability to fund this needed infrastructure with his ridiculous corporate tax cut. Once again corporations gain while the public loses. Neo-liberalism rampant and damaging

Posted by: jonnypg on November 14 2007 10:02 AM

Yes...wait till somebody gets killed then make changes,

Typical!

Posted by: lmorg on November 14 2007 11:57 AM

As usual, the lower mainland gets all the attention. The gangs in the interior and in PG have been wrecking havoc on us for some time now. What will the north get out of this new funding if it ever comes?

Additionally, a police officer testifying on behalf of a victim of domestic violence who is reluctant or refuses to testify will never happen. It's a nice thought, but would never stand an evidenciary test.

Posted by: duffer on November 14 2007 7:11 PM

In my opinion the police are not interested in wasting their time in trying to catch the gangs. The criminal element will only be back at it within a week of being arrested. The police are more interested in giving traffic tickets to the people that obey every other law except traffic laws because we don't fight back. We just pay them. The City of Prince George is going to get enough money to hire another four policemen with the revenue from the traffic fines in our area last year. Oh boy, four more policemen to give us fines!!!

Why don't we have our own police force and do the same as the U.S. and have them elected? That way, they would be somewhat accountable, or they wouldn't have a job next time around. Maybe their priorities would be a little different.

Posted by: northman on November 14 2007 8:52 PM

Lately the worst gang ive been looking out for is called the RCMP.. And im a law abiding citizen i dont even have a speeding ticket YET! ;)

Posted by: acrider54 on November 15 2007 6:03 AM

There is no money in arresting gang members. Like duffer says the money is from us sort of law abiding people that drive a few clicks over the limit..