War on crime is a lost cause

Many are under the opinion, if not the illusion, that law enforcement can bring an end to organized crime and the gang violence. The vision, if not the fantasy, is failing.

Politicians and law enforcement officials do not want us to be critical thinkers. If you look at other countries you will find that none are having success in the war on crime. In fact, all are showing signs of increased crime.

Maybe you are one of the few easily impressed by minor drug busts in Victoria, or the massive raids in Quebec. If you are, you may wish to consider this: organized crime has become more sophisticated and dynamic and has “outwardly legitimate businesses,” including finance, transport, security, entertainment and construction.

Law enforcement, the self-appointed “good guys,” would like the public to believe that organized crime is involved in murder, prostitution, arson, robbery, illicit drug supply and production, money laundering and bribery. Sure. And they all wear black.

With very little impact on organized crime, despite growing criticism in many circles, the war on crime remains a given for the vast majority of Canadians.

It has, in many ways, been a model for any level of government programs, continuing not due to success, but because of their failure. This failure does have a price tag: hundreds of billions of dollars.

William Perry

Victoria

Government committed to quality education

Re: Teachers urge parents to get involved (Letters, July 1)

I’m responding to the letter written by the president of the B.C. Teachers’ Federation regarding education funding in B.C.

Like all sectors in B.C., school districts will have to make tough decisions in order to manage through challenging economic times.

But our government demonstrated its commitment to students by maintaining education funding at its highest level in provincial history despite declining enrolment and the global economic downturn.

For example, in the Greater Victoria school district operational funding will be increased by more than $1 million for 2009-10, for a total of $146 million.

In the last nine years, per pupil funding in the district has risen by nearly 25 per cent while enrolment has dropped by 14 per cent -- or more than 3,000 students.

The BCTF also ignores the fact that 99 per cent of our classes have fewer than 32 students, that total funding for students with special needs is higher than ever before, and that we continue to fully fund the negotiated wage settlements that were reached with union members in 2006 -- which has directly benefited classroom teachers.

Finally, it is B.C. students who are benefitting the most. In the past few years our students have been recognized internationally for their record levels of achievement.

Margaret MacDiarmid

Minister of Education