Pubdate: Sun, 10 Feb 2008 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2008 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Author: Connor Whelan JUDGE SENDS BAD SIGNALS ON CRIME BILL Last year, the B.C. judiciary broke the usual "silence of the bench" to defend itself against criticism from the federal justice minister for being too soft on criminals. Statistical comparisons to other provinces' records of imprisonment for various crimes were cited. However, the judiciary wasn't so adamant about drug crimes. Insinuating the downtrodden, sick-addict excuse and suggesting that most drug offences were committed by individuals that, in the view of the judiciary, prison wasn't the answer for is exemplified by the decision of B.C. Supreme Court Justice Catherine Bruce. Her ruling is just a harbinger of how the B.C. judiciary will attempt to subvert the federal government's proposed new anti-crime bill, particularly as it applies to traffickers and marijuana grow operators. Nothing could be a clearer bellwether warning than Bruce's own rationale. She felt that, in spite of the current climate of drug-related gang violence in the Lower Mainland, the police should have "given more warning" to announce their presence before taking down the door of the accused grow operator's house. Ironically, the film Mayerthorpe, about the murder of four RCMP officers in Alberta four years ago, will be shown on television this week. It should be required viewing for Madame Justice Bruce, who also revealed her anti-RCMP bias, by saying "this kind of violent and forceful entry with guns drawn appears to be standard practice for the Surrey RCMP." Connor Whelan Ladysmith - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom