About time!
Youth crime is on the rise, in 2006 the crime rate increased more then 3%. Homicides committed by youth are at an all time high. Violent crime rate among youth rose over 12% over the last decade. In 2006 violent crime was up 30% from 1991.
Clearly something had to be done.
Today the Conservatives have pledged to increase funding to gang rehabilitation, and introduce mandatory sentencing for youths convicted of serious, violent crime.
The focus of the law will be on accountability and protection of society.
Its about time.
Also, let us all be aware, many of these recommendations come from the 2006 recommendations of a Nova Scotia commission of inquiry led by retired Justice D. Merlin Nunn.
We're better off with Harper.
Showing posts with label crime. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crime. Show all posts
Monday, September 22, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Condemn what is happening in Guelph!
I ask that everyone post a comment here or post their own blog post condemning the crap that has been going on in Guelph. These shenanigans have no place in civilized political discourse.
If you don't know what I am talking about read the back story here.
NOTE: All four major political parties in Guelph have released a joint press release about this, see below.
Frank Valeriote, Tom King, Mike Nagy and Gloria Kovach denounce criminal damage to property: Joint Statement
GUELPH — August 29, 2008 - Frank Valeriote along with the other candidates in the Guelph by-election have unequivocally denounced the criminal damage that was done to at least ten homes and 6 vehicles in Guelph which had Frank Valeriote lawn signs in the early hours of Friday morning. They made their statements at the home of one of the victims this afternoon.
Families woke up in the early morning to see the brickwork of their houses spray painted with political graffiti as well as the brake lines to their automobiles cut.
This violence follows on the extensive damage to campaign signs that has been occurring to varying degrees to Liberal, Conservative, NDP, and Green signs throughout the by-election period.
“What happened in the early hours today is a despicable and cowardly act that endangered innocent people’s lives,” said Valeriote. “The cutting of the brake lines was intended to at the very least to severely injure people, who have chosen to participate in one of the most important processes this country has to offer to its citizens- they chose to exercise this right and have a political sign on their lawn. We live in a lawful and peaceful society where we have the freedom to express ourselves politically. No one should be subject to this kind of violence and intimidation,” Valeriote concluded.
Frank Valeriote and Tom King spent most of the day visiting and consoling the owners of the houses that have been criminally vandalized. “I join Frank Valeriote in condemning these vicious attacks in ourcommunity,” said Tom King. “The vandalism to political signs and the targeting of private homes and property must stop immediately. This kind of activity has nothing to do with the NDP or the Liberals. We’re sad to see politics take such an ugly turn. We hope the police will find the criminals responsible and prosecute them to the full extent of the law.”
“Greens totally disapprove of any acts of vandalism. Political motivated attacks on people’s homes and property insults the values that Canadians hold sacred regarding safe a free elections” said Mike Nagy.
Gloria Kovach agreed with all the candidates stating ” This is an escalation in behaviour and his kind of activity has no place in Guelph especially whe we all strive for free and fair process”.
All the candidates denounce the criminal violence, and give their sympathies to the victims whose private property was damaged.
If you don't know what I am talking about read the back story here.
NOTE: All four major political parties in Guelph have released a joint press release about this, see below.
Frank Valeriote, Tom King, Mike Nagy and Gloria Kovach denounce criminal damage to property: Joint Statement
GUELPH — August 29, 2008 - Frank Valeriote along with the other candidates in the Guelph by-election have unequivocally denounced the criminal damage that was done to at least ten homes and 6 vehicles in Guelph which had Frank Valeriote lawn signs in the early hours of Friday morning. They made their statements at the home of one of the victims this afternoon.
Families woke up in the early morning to see the brickwork of their houses spray painted with political graffiti as well as the brake lines to their automobiles cut.
This violence follows on the extensive damage to campaign signs that has been occurring to varying degrees to Liberal, Conservative, NDP, and Green signs throughout the by-election period.
“What happened in the early hours today is a despicable and cowardly act that endangered innocent people’s lives,” said Valeriote. “The cutting of the brake lines was intended to at the very least to severely injure people, who have chosen to participate in one of the most important processes this country has to offer to its citizens- they chose to exercise this right and have a political sign on their lawn. We live in a lawful and peaceful society where we have the freedom to express ourselves politically. No one should be subject to this kind of violence and intimidation,” Valeriote concluded.
Frank Valeriote and Tom King spent most of the day visiting and consoling the owners of the houses that have been criminally vandalized. “I join Frank Valeriote in condemning these vicious attacks in ourcommunity,” said Tom King. “The vandalism to political signs and the targeting of private homes and property must stop immediately. This kind of activity has nothing to do with the NDP or the Liberals. We’re sad to see politics take such an ugly turn. We hope the police will find the criminals responsible and prosecute them to the full extent of the law.”
“Greens totally disapprove of any acts of vandalism. Political motivated attacks on people’s homes and property insults the values that Canadians hold sacred regarding safe a free elections” said Mike Nagy.
Gloria Kovach agreed with all the candidates stating ” This is an escalation in behaviour and his kind of activity has no place in Guelph especially whe we all strive for free and fair process”.
All the candidates denounce the criminal violence, and give their sympathies to the victims whose private property was damaged.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
What the Hell is going on in Guelph?
I a was shocked to hear about the wide spread vandalism going on in Guelph. Apparently the by-election in Guelph has gotten people all fired up. This is good, but NOT when it expressed with the destruction of private property and the cutting of brake lines.
I abhor this this display of criminality, the discourse of politics has no place for this. As if the destruction of campaign signs (of all parties) wasn't bad enough we now have this.
The cutting of break lines is a clear attempt at intimidating Liberal party supporters. That is unbelievably shocking!
I call on anyone with information on these crimes to call
I abhor this this display of criminality, the discourse of politics has no place for this. As if the destruction of campaign signs (of all parties) wasn't bad enough we now have this.
The cutting of break lines is a clear attempt at intimidating Liberal party supporters. That is unbelievably shocking!
I call on anyone with information on these crimes to call
Friday, August 1, 2008
The truth behind the Youth Criminal Justice Act
An anonymous poster left this fantastic (and telling) comment on my recent blog post "Lies, damned lies, and statistics".
I remember years ago, I was receiving training about this new act, and the police officer giving the training called it the "Can't charge anybody act". That is a scary proposition.
I remember years ago, I was receiving training about this new act, and the police officer giving the training called it the "Can't charge anybody act". That is a scary proposition.
Lies, damn lies, and statistics
I have been meaning to look into the crime statistics for sometime. I wanted to examine the reports that crime is falling. I wanted to check if this was true for violent crime and more specifically youth crime.
Well it seems that Lorrie Goldstein has done most of this already in his commentary published in the Sun chain of newspapers today.
The central thrust of his thesis is that crime is way up if you look at the historical trends since crime statistics have been tracked. That is, look back to 1962.
My parents, and grandparents have said this for years, but they are old crotchety smelly old people so they always think that the crime is up. Old people are afraid of the “young thugs”. Turns out they were right.
Perhaps the most telling part of the entire commentary was this quote lifted from a Liberal Solicitor General to the House way back in 1971. Jean-Pierre Goyer was complaining about the high cost of keeping criminals incarcerated. Something present day Liberals and left wing people use as an argument against the Conservative “Tackling Violent Crime” bill.
Mr. Goyer said "The present situation results from the fact that (the) protection of society has received more emphasis than the rehabilitation of inmates. Consequently, we have decided from now on to stress the rehabilitation of offenders, rather than the protection of society."
Yikes. I am sure this is somehow taken out of context :)
Well it seems that Lorrie Goldstein has done most of this already in his commentary published in the Sun chain of newspapers today.
The central thrust of his thesis is that crime is way up if you look at the historical trends since crime statistics have been tracked. That is, look back to 1962.
My parents, and grandparents have said this for years, but they are old crotchety smelly old people so they always think that the crime is up. Old people are afraid of the “young thugs”. Turns out they were right.
Perhaps the most telling part of the entire commentary was this quote lifted from a Liberal Solicitor General to the House way back in 1971. Jean-Pierre Goyer was complaining about the high cost of keeping criminals incarcerated. Something present day Liberals and left wing people use as an argument against the Conservative “Tackling Violent Crime” bill.
Mr. Goyer said "The present situation results from the fact that (the) protection of society has received more emphasis than the rehabilitation of inmates. Consequently, we have decided from now on to stress the rehabilitation of offenders, rather than the protection of society."
Yikes. I am sure this is somehow taken out of context :)
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