Pubdate: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 Source: Ottawa Citizen ( CN ON ) Copyright: 2014 Larry Comeau Contact: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/letters.html Website: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326 Author: Larry Comeau GANG GUN VIOLENCE: NO END IN SIGHT Re: Shooting prompts call for action, Dec. 29. With the 47th shooting in Ottawa at Bank and Slater streets early Monday morning, there seems little chance of gang gun violence ending anytime soon. The huge profits to be made in the illicit drug trade is no doubt fuelling these shootings, with gangs trying to stake out their turf. The Ottawa Police Service has done an admirable job, considering it's dealing with unco-operative gang member shooting victims and often very frightened witnesses. The police will never solve this escalating problem on their own. Our catch-and-release justice system is exacerbating the problem. Our court system must stop releasing those using guns committing crimes so quickly. Penalties for the convicted must be the toughest possible to send a strong deterrent message to others. Larry Comeau, Ottawa, retired RCMP superintendent - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D