FORFEITURE ACT MAKES SENSE AS TOOL FOR FIGHTING CRIMINALS

EDITOR, THE TIMES:

Following is an edited letter to Solicitor General John Les and MLA John
van Dongen:

Why is it that some of the best stories seldom hit the headlines on TV or
in the newspapers?

Take the Civil Forfeiture Act that targets money behind crimes, legislated
by the B.C government a short time ago.

This remarkably powerful law, long overdue in my opinion, is aimed at
tackling directly the very core of confiscating the proceeds of crime in
quick fashion.

I am totally elated at the bright insight of Les and van Dongen and their
willingness to actually do something about it.

It is absolutely great news for law-abiding citizens, but such bad news for
the sly, ruthless criminal, who has been living a life of sumptuous comfort
from crime profits.

Take the man in Maple Ridge - who was arrested in a Hummer a while ago -
that had two safes stuffed with drugs while he had thousands of dollars in
cash on his person.

He was released on $2,000 bail and is likely well on his way to beating the
lenient legal system with ease.

This new forfeiture law would give a government director leeway to impound
the vehicle and the cash instantly, regardless of how he fares in the courts.

It truly is some of the best news that I've come across in a very long time.

Thanks again to Les and van Dongen for facing the rapidly growing criminal
activities that are so agonizing and costly to society as a whole.

Gertie Pool, Abbotsford