Pubdate: Tue, 25 Oct 2005 Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Copyright: 2005 The StarPhoenix Contact: http://www.canada.com/saskatoon/starphoenix/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400 Author: Darren Bernhardt Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture) ANTI-GANG LAW ANOTHER TOOL FOR POLICE: SABO Saskatchewan became Canada's second province to enact a specific antigang law with the proclamation Monday of the Criminal Enterprise Suppression Act. But the public shouldn't interpret that as an indication of a grave situation in this province, cautioned Justice Minister Frank Quennell. Rather, it's just another tool in the law enforcement kit. "Keeping communities safe is a top priority for this government. We will not permit this province to become a safe haven for organized crime or the illegal activity that goes along with it," he said. "I suspect it (the new law) may be rarely used here, but it is potentially useful to the police." Saskatoon police Chief Russ Sabo was more candid about the issue. "We recognize we have an organized crime issue in this province and we are working very closely with the provincial government on a number of fronts to try and address that," Sabo said. "This legislation is as much proactive as it is reactive." The new act is the "next step in this government's ongoing commitment to creating a hostile environment for organized crime and criminal activity," stated a government release distributed at a news conference. To be considered "organized crime" an illegal activity needs only to involve three or more people, according to Quennell. The act allows police to take action if the manager or owner of a business is determined to be a member of a criminal organization. The local police chief or head of an RCMP detachment can apply to court to cancel or withhold provincial tax or liquor licenses required to operate the business, thereby effectively shutting it down. The only other province to have such legislation is Manitoba, well-known for its gang problems. That province even went so far as to build a brand new, highsecurity courthouse to prosecute such offenders. Quennell was asked by reporters why Saskatchewan would need to be the next province to have such a law in place, and whether the gang problem is more prevalent than the public is led to believe. "I would like to think that we don't necessarily have a larger problem (than people think), although we certainly do have a high degree of gang membership in the province of Saskatchewan," he said. "I would say that the police chiefs and police leadership that I've been talking to (during) the past two years that I've been in this job have been wanting to be creative about what tools we can use. We want to be responsive." Sabo welcomed the legislation, noting there is a growing drug problem in the province and that the next obvious rung in the criminal ladder, if "business" is going well, is to set up a legitimate business through which the criminal profits can be hidden. The new legislation doesn't mean police have a trump card that overrules individual rights, however, Quennell noted. "It is important to keep in mind that an application has to be made and can only be made by the most senior police offi - cer," he said, noting an order would only be issued if there was enough evidence to convince the court beyond a reasonable doubt. "And the rules of court provide that notice be given to those people affected." Police forces are in the business of gathering evidence, and this new law provides an additional step to take against criminals, said Sabo. "And if there is money (retrieved) from the application of this law, it is my understanding it will go into the victims' fund, which will benefit all of the people in this province who may be the victims of organized crime," he said. The fact that the news conference was held in Saskatoon does not mean the gang problem is more evident here, even if it is Saskatchewan's largest city, added Sabo. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin