Why Are Young Offenders Still In The Driver's Seat?
Mar 14, 2007
The issue of car thefts has been very much at the forefront of discussion amongst Winnipeggers and in the media of late. A majority of this focus has been on the youth who commit these crimes, and the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The problem has become so severe in recent weeks that Manitoba Public Insurance is now forcing one of Winnipeg’s most prolific car thieves to pay $110,000 in damages.
Even Manitoba’s Justice Minister Dave Chomiak has pointed out that it is an indictable offence under the Criminal Code to steal a cow, but not a car. He has joined in the chorus of calls to the Federal Government to make amendments to the relatively new Youth Criminal Justice Act that would give prosecutors more power to hold suspected auto thieves in custody. Many have also requested Criminal Code changes that would make car theft a crime on its own. This would allow convictions to carry heavier penalties.
The Harper Government is reported to be considering the introduction of a bill as early as this month that would propose harsher treatment for young offenders. This might include a provision that would make it automatic that “violent and repeat” offenders over the age of 13 receive adult sentences. That might not be acceptable to the Supreme Court, who may determine that punishing youth as adults is a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Discussions about car theft and youth crime in general often focus almost exclusively on the legal and punitive aspects. It is easy to suggest that we simply make the punishment harsher. But would that serve as a deterrent to offenders? It seems that most of those that commit these types of crime aren’t particularly concerned about the consequences of their actions.
There are other dimensions to this problem as well. What is causing the apparent increase in this type of criminal activity? There have always been issues of vandalism and petty crimes attributable to youth. That likely won’t go away. But we’ve seen an increase in both the severity of crimes committed and in the frequency with which these types of crimes are occurring. Is there a way to identify what changes have taken place - whether in society, or economically, or in the family perhaps – that can help explain this phenomenon? Often media coverage isn’t a real reflection of reality in terms of things like crime. Criminologists will continue to insist that crime rates are not increasing. Is this a case of perception being out of line, or are we really dealing with something that is on the increase?
One thing that we need to do is to ensure that the proper programs are in place for families so as to ensure that their children have opportunities to become engaged in more productive activities. At the very least, youth need a variety of positive options that would allow them to channel their energies. We should take a good hard look to see if these needs are being met.
Comments
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Can't depend on Doer or Harper to get it done. I bought a "Club" for my car , and no problems.
Jim Cotton - -0001-11-30 00:00
It is regretable that a youth having spent time in and instituation Like AYC where positive peer pressure is modeled and think errors are address, is after serving their sentenced returned back to the exact environment that nurtured those thinking errors to begin with. We need to a better job on the education side of things with in the institution settings through trades and skills training. Give youth and opportunity to advance themselves, by empowering them to be something more than when they entered the system. In solidarity
Ken - -0001-11-30 00:00
I’m surprised with how long it has taken the gov’t to impose stricter consequences. These kids don’t care about the consequences and neither do their parents. There should be an enforced curfew in the west-end and downtown areas. Kids should be home by 10 at night. If the parents can’t control them, then at least a curfew would help to keep them off the streets. They should have to serve hours of community service and spend time with people who have suffered serious injuries because of car accidents or from other acts of violence. I know that the MB Brain Injury Assoc has a program right now called PARTY. Guest speakers with brain injuries caused from car accidents spoke to the group, and then we toured through the hospital’s ER ward. It was very realistic consequences that I think these kids don’t realize. They take everything for granted.
APE - -0001-11-30 00:00
I agree we need to get tougher on young people who steal cars, but as you note at the end of the article we do need to increase supports for families and youth so that they have positive alternatives. A worthwhile topic, for sure - especially right now.
Randy - -0001-11-30 00:00