Politicians set to try to crack down on gangs, violence

Top politicians are zigzagging across the country in an attempt to deal with the recent rash of violence on the Lower Mainland.

B.C. Attorney General Wally Oppal and Solicitor General John van Dongen left for Ottawa on Wednesday in a bid to ask all federal parties for help in dealing with the province’s crime problems.

"We're going to tell them that our public here is fed up with gang violence — that crime has really become out of control — particularly the shootings that have taken place," said Oppal.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is gearing up for a visit to Vancouver on Thursday morning to deal with the same issue.

Harper is scheduled to unveil his anti-gang plan, which would involve automatically making all gang-related killings first-degree murder offences. Also, certain drug crimes would carry mandatory prison sentences and drive-by shootings would become a Criminal Code offence.

The province is lobbying for some additional provisions.

"We're pretty clear that we need significant Criminal Code reform in terms of bail," said Premier Gordon Campbell. "We have to make sure that when someone is found with a gun — when they're on bail — they’re actually put behind bars."

B.C. will also be asking for more wiretap access, including the ability to intercept internet and BlackBerry communications.

It will also ask for laws ending two-for-one credits for time served and for fewer demands placed on prosecutors to disclose evidence to defence lawyers.

The province's opposition leader said the province’s pleas are coming too late.

"The prime minister already has his plan in place," said Carole James. "He's coming to announce it here in British Columbia and we're sending our ministers to go and lobby who in Ottawa?"

Critics also wonder whether it would be more prudent to spend money on prevention programs that divert young people from joining gangs instead of creating or toughening existing laws.