Police force seeks $25M to fight gang violence

In the wake of a spike in gang violence, Calgary's mayor and police chief are calling on city council to "pre-approve" $25 million to hire 201 new officers.

In a news conference on Sunday, Mayor Dave Bronconnier and police Chief Rick Hanson said they will ask council on Sept. 9 to green light a $25-million increase to the police force's budget over the next three years.

If approved, the money would allow the force to recruit and train as many as 69 officers this year who could hit Calgary streets by early 2009, and a total of 201 officers in the next three years.

Gang and drug-related violence in Calgary has risen this summer, as five men have been shot to death in public in the last three months.

'We want them to come down on these criminals like a ton of bricks.' Dave Bronconnier, Calgary mayor

"This violence in our streets won't be tolerated. Our police service is doing a great job, but they need more help," said Bronconnier. "We need to let them know that help is on the way, and we want them to come down on these criminals like a ton of bricks."

The funding request comes months earlier than the normal timetable for budget hearings.

Ald. Andre Chabot said no one opposes more officers on Calgary streets, butthe mayor isgoing about itthe wrong way because council must look at the overall budget.

"We have a responsibility to the taxpayers and when we're talking about increasing, you know, double-digit tax increases, which is what we're currently looking at, what are we going to cut?" he said on Monday.

Chabot said he'll urge council to refer the mayor's plan to the overall budget discussionsnormally scheduled forNovember.

The Calgary police department's budget plan over the next three years calls for 400 new officers half to be funded by the city, and the other half by the provincial and federal governments.

Bronconnier and Hanson said they are meeting with Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach on Thursday.

"The challenges brought on by our rapid growth and the increased sophistication of organized crime has stretched us to the limit," said Hanson. "This infusion of new resources will enable us to more effectively address these issues in a timely manner."