(ADAM PROSKIW / iNFOnews.ca)
July 11, 2014 - 6:59 AM
The Southeast Division of the RCMP unveiled for the press Thursday their latest salvo in the neverending war against gangs in our valley.
The confiscated Nissan, complete with performance parts and eye-catching wheels, is being touted as a crime fighting tool, and was revealed to the crowd with a dramatic polish that made me feel I was being sold something I didn’t really want.
“This car brings a strong message to those who think the gang lifestyle is glamorous,” said acting Supt. Tim Head, standing beside tangible evidence crime does in fact pay and gang life is actually quite glamorous.
The project will consist of driving the car to events like Keloha and Centre of Gravity, but it’s not hard to see how the message could be taken the wrong way.
If the point is that gang life isn’t glamourous, then why use a glamourous car taken from a gang member?
The whole campaign seems more like a publicity stunt than an honest attempt at curbing gang appeal among youth and the car itself less a warning than a trophy.
I feel for the police. It’s not easy to sell honest, hard work to those willing to take shortcuts through life, but this car is nothing but a symbol of what makes gang mitigation such a daunting task.
At best the tactic will have no effect, since everybody already knows the short term benefits of crime. At worst however, it will remind kids that along with gang life comes some pretty nice perks.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014