Calgary Gangs and the Justice System

By Megan Eichhorn

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On November 19, 2009, Calgary Herald’s Jason Van Rassel reported that local gangster Roland Chin was denied release from prison because they parole board was not convinced his claims were legitimate. Chin says he is not a gang member but rather is friends with some of them through his brother, who died in a gang-related shooting. Chin claims he wants to get an education and a job. He is also paranoid and says he is scared for his life. He does “heat checks” and wears a bulletproof vest.

This article briefly quoted a parole board member. Chin was quoted heavily throughout the article, which emphasized his struggle and paranoia of gang conflict. This is the first article I have come across that seems to sympathize with an alleged gang member. It is very focused on Chin’s feelings about the situation, how it has affected him and what he wants to do about it. Van Rassel doesn’t speak ill of the police force, but he doesn’t do much in giving evidence that supports them either.

I would be surprised to find anymore articles that sympathize with an alleged gang member. I assume that most media reports will follow the previous trend of supporting and praising the work of the police in decreasing gang activity, thus increasing public safety.

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Van Rassel, J. (2009, November 19). Calgary gangster feared for safety outside jail. Calgary Herald. Retrieved November 23, 2009, from http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Calgary+gangster+feared+safety+outside+jail/2237412/story.html