Pubdate: Wed, 16 Mar 2005
Source: Tumbler Ridge News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Tumbler Ridge News
Contact:  http://www.tumblerridgenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3600
Author: John Martin
Note: Martin is a Criminologist at the University College of the Fraser Valley

GRIEVING IS NOT ENOUGH

The tragic death of four young RCMP members in Mayerthorpe, Alberta, like 
all tragedies, is already inspiring knee jerk reactions. What should be a 
time for grief and mourning is being exploited by shameless opportunists 
eager to see marijuana legalized.

Others are citing this terrible loss as evidence that grow-op penalties 
need to be tougher.

Both miss the point.

This terrible loss is not a consequence of drug laws or slap-on-the-wrist 
sentences for marijuana growers. The issue is a Parliament and criminal 
justice system that is so oblivious to public safety that dangerous 
psychopaths are continually returned to our communities.

Ticking time bombs, chronic violent offenders and viscous animals are 
routinely given early release to offend time and time again.

Consider what we know so far about James Roszko.

He had a long and violent history of run-ins with the police. He hated cops 
and loved guns. In 1999 he shot at two people who trespassed on his 
property but was not prosecuted. On at least two other occasions he pointed 
guns at people's heads.

Despite having been convicted of no less than seventeen criminal offences 
dating back to 1976, including assault with a weapon and unlawful 
confinement, he had never been sent to prison. That changed in 2000 when he 
was incarcerated for molesting a child over a six year period. The abuse 
started when the victim was ten years old.

Even though Roszko never owned up to the sexual abuse, he was given 
statutory release in 2001. The criminal justice system is consumed with 
criminals' rights, their comfort and dignity, and an almost psychotic urge 
to keep offenders, even violent ones, in the community.

Crazed and dangerous nutcases like Rozsko will continue to avoid 
incarceration. Law abiding citizens and more law enforcement officers will 
continue to pay the price for liberal theology.

Legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana wouldn't have prevented anything. 
Pot will continue to be prohibited in the U.S. and organized crime would 
still be involved. The violence and killing would not subside.

Increasing the penalties for grow-ops wouldn't have prevented anything. 
Judges automatically give growers conditional sentences and probation even 
though the law allows for a maximum of seven years in prison. The penalty 
could be doubled or tripled and judges would still treat even multi-million 
dollar producing grow-ops no different than they would a parking ticket.

What happened in Mayerthorpe was not about marijuana.

It was about a ticking time bomb with a long history of violence that the 
system was fully aware of and opted to ignore.

It was about an approach to criminal justice that has little time for 
public safety.

The most poignant and telling comment on this tragedy comes from the mother 
of slain Constable Brock Myrol. She states, "It is time our government take 
a stand on evil." She adds, "It is time to take our liberal-minded attitude 
to task. Prime Minister Paul Martin, we depend on you and expect you to 
change the laws and give the courts real power. Give the police real power."

Unfortunately, taking a stand against evil never made it onto the agenda of 
the Liberal Party convention this past week.

Maybe next time.
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MAP posted-by: Beth