Opinion | Niagara letters Sept. 20: Get smart — not tough — on crime
Violent crime is a social and health problem, writes a reader.
John Bacher writes that Jim Bradley’s recent illness could be bad for Niagara government.
Tough on crime sells; smart on crime works
After a violent sexual assault on a toddler, people are calling for getting “tough” on crime: no bail, long sentences, more police, or worse.
This doesn’t work and is based on misinformation. What’s proven to work in the U.S. and U.K. is getting “smart” on violent crime by recognizing it’s a social and health problem.
Boston reduced its murder rate by 60-plus per cent with 10 per cent fewer police — that’s right: less murders with less cops. Glasgow was called the “murder capital of Europe” by World Health Organization but cut violent crime almost 40 per cent in less than 10 years by treating it as a health problem.
Getting rid of bail won’t work because a majority of Ontario inmates are effectively denied bail anyway, even though more than half are likely to be found innocent.
The uncle of the previous child victim of the accused in Welland told CBC he had wanted a longer sentence earlier but for treatment, not punishment. Why not do treatment before the crime even happens, like in Boston and Glasgow?
Elected officials from almost all parties are jumping on the “tough on crime” bandwagon because it sells.
If politicians and others actually want to reduce violent crime they should do what actually works. Get smart, not tough.
Saleh Waziruddin, St. Catharines
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