Now these stories are on the news and the front page all the time. People didn't use to see it as much. But territorial judge Heino Lilles, in a paper delivered two years ago about public misperceptions and youth crime, said governments often use the crime issue' to get into power. Politicians, too often, sound like the hucksters who daily flog all sorts of security devices. The perception is not necessarily going to go away when the facts and figures are presented, admitted Phillips.
People passionately feel that something needs to be done about crime here in the territory.
It may start in the courts and RCMP offices, but the report shows the crime problem has roots much deeper. The concern was mainly with young offenders, who many believed got off too lightly. Well, maybe it means I get to keep my snow machine for two years longer. Kids know nothing will happen to them. But, while some called on stiffer sentences for young offenders, still more called for better programs for them and more readily available help.