Pubdate: Thu, 16 Apr 2015
Source: Now, The (Surrey, CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact:  http://www.thenownewspaper.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1462
Author: David Hutchinson

REDUCING CRIME IN SURREY SHOULD START BY GETTING SMART ABOUT CANNABIS

The Editor,

Re: "No comment on crime," the Now, April 9.

I am grateful to Delta Mayor Lois Jackson for pointing out Surrey
Mayor Linda Hepner's shortfall in passing the onus to law enforcement
to answer legitimate questions from the media about the ongoing crime
in our city.

Just a few short months ago, Hepner had nothing original to propose to
reduce this blight on the place we call home. At the time of her
election, the extent of her answer was to suggest recruiting more
RCMP. Hepner now seems more than happy to defer to law enforcement
instead of addressing the failings of her management.

There is a truism that you should "follow the money." It is reported
that 80 per cent of crime revenue in B.C. is generated from just one
business - cannabis.

We currently allow this widely accepted product to be managed by the
criminal element. Meanwhile, more enlightened jurisdictions are
regulating, taxing and reducing crime.

The parallels of another failed prohibition in the U.S. with alcohol
are numerous. It should also be noted that the violence of 1930s
Chicago was not created by the alcohol but by the prohibition placed
on it.

Until we have politicians with open minds and a willingness to look at
alternatives, we will continue to repeat the same pattern in Surrey. I
encourage the mayor to represent the people and stop being "tough on
crime" and instead be "smart on crime."

That might reduce the media interest.

David Hutchinson, Surrey
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MAP posted-by: Matt