Pubdate: Thu, 27 Dec 2007
Source: Georgia Straight, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 The Georgia Straight
Contact:  http://www.straight.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1084
Author: Peter Olsson

TO EXPLAIN GANGS' APPEAL, JUST FOLLOW THE MONEY

Re: "Gangland recruits," Dec. 13-20

Being a young minority male, or "at-risk youth", I consider myself
fairly experienced in the world of crime here in Vancouver. I grew up
on the West Side as well as the West End, seeing and participating in
a lot of the things mentioned in your article.

Gang activity is everywhere, and youths of all social classes and
neighbourhoods are involved. The only difference between white and
Persian crime rings as compared to their South Asian counterparts is
that the South Asians tend to be more overt and violent. The motives
of a South Asian youth-gang member are more likely to be money-meaning
that they, astonishingly, are not very excited about the prospect of
being a telemarketer or fast-food worker their whole life.

The second point is that most people in Vancouver break the law all
the time, especially drug laws. People smoke pot and do cocaine, not
to mention other drugs such as meth. I've met people from more walks
of life than I can count, and the majority of them use illegal drugs.
In downtown, a huge number also sell drugs, because it is a lucrative
source of tax-free additional income with little to no risk. What can
result from such a system, where the normal citizen is a criminal and
anyone can be selectively prosecuted? Only one thing: the complete
loss of legitimacy and respect for the police force and
politicians.

The fact of the matter of the gang issue is this: as long as there is
a choice between making hundreds of thousands of dollars and making
less than $40,000 in a dead-end job, people will always choose the
more lucrative option. There is no incentive to work all hours with
little to no personal time or benefits; it's that simple. Even if the
penalty is death, people would rather risk that and live a life that
has some hope of advancement.

Things will continue to get worse until people realize that the only
solution is to stop legislating people's personal lives.

PETER OLSSON

Vancouver
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