A disturbing RCMP report this week highlights a growing problem with violence and out-of-control behaviour among a certain faction of residents. And without a localized justice system, many ne'er-do-wells could simply go on believing they're living in a lawless wild west. The story of a Good Samaritan shoved into a clothing recycle bin and trapped for six hours by two young thugs brought dubious recognition to Squamish through provincial media attention this week. All indications show suspects were drunk and on a rampage, according to police. It was just a matter of time before the destructive behaviour turned to a person.This incident, as shocking as it may be, is not an isolated one. Anyone paying attention to The Chief's page A6 crime map over the past few months will notice that week after week, a large portion of RCMP reports involve alcohol and violence.Anecdotally, local taxi drivers can recite countless stories of violence - sometimes extremely vicious incidents - involving individuals who have obviously indulged in a night of excessive drinking at one of the local bars. RCMP acknowledge the elevated incidents of violence. Squamish spokesperson Cpl. Dave Ritchie theorizes it may be due to, among other things, the boom in employment currently being experienced in Squamish. The more money is available, the more alcohol can be bought, the more fuel is added to the fire. And in an employment climate where almost anyone - including people bent on self-destructive behaviour - can get a high-paying job, the fuel becomes very close at hand.So the question looms: where is the return of the local courthouse politicians announced in June of 2006? At the time, MLA Joan McIntyre, Mayor Ian Sutherland and the RCMP all acknowledged the importance of visible punitive measures to deter potential criminals. And a localized courthouse would mean a return to a judicial system reflecting the "local flavour." Judges and prosecutors would be more aware of regional problems currently overshadowed by big city burdens.When you have your own prosecutor or your own courthouse the judge realizes what the community thinks and wants or are concerned about.If there's a rash of theft from vehicles, for example - well in Vancouver, thefts from vehicles aren't even reported to the police, and that's reflected in Lower Mainland courts. McIntyre called the 2002 local courthouse closure resulting from the Liberal government's budget cuts a "painful and unpopular decision" done during the province's "belt-tightening phase." With the province now in great economic shape, where's the courthouse? Answers are long overdue.
