Rick Hanson says terrorism stems from poverty, lack of family supports

A former Calgary police chief says society hasbeen fighting terrorism thewrong way.

Rick Hanson advised about 150 business leaders on how to protect themselves against a terrorist attack, but rather than designing disaster plans or heightening securityhe says the best protection is to address the root causes.

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Hanson says the risk of a terrorist attack in Calgary is real because the city is not immune to the factors that can push a young person towardan ideology that breeds terrorism such as poverty, a lack of family supports, or mental illness.

"The magic will be, as articulated by experts all over the world, identifying those high-risk young people and doing something at the right time," Hanson told a chamber of commerce audience Thursday.

That's why he's urging businesses to support community organizations including Calgary police who work with at-risk kids to put them on the right track.

He says businesses not only have a responsibility to give back but it's in their best interests to help prevent future attacks.

A small business owner agrees.

James Boettcher, the owner of Fiasco Gelato, provides breakfasts for low-income kids and volunteers with the United Way.

"And when you are really being inclusive with those people and give them a place to belong and part of a community and not an outcast or a problem, that's where you see some results," Boettcher said.

"And continually we see that with the work that we do."