By Megan Eichhorn
On November 10, 2009, Calgary Herald's, Daryl Slade, reported Justice Allen Sulatycky's guilty verdict for drug-dealer Travis Brunet. Sulatycky said that gang members must be a sent a message to stop their use of guns. Brunet claimed that he was too intoxicated to form the intent to kill and was only trying to scare his victim when the gun accidentally went off.
Brunet got a life sentence for second-degree murder. Sulatycky says this will send a message that carrying a gun and killing someone, whether it is an accident or not, will result in jail time.
Facts in this article were based on quotes from the judge and the shooting victim's mother, as well as dates, locations and what was probably said at the court hearing. This article is biased in that it only includes quotes from people who view Brunet as guilty. When Slade reports Brunet's story, it is followed by the judge's conclusion that it is false. The questions of who, what, where, when and why are all thoroughly answered in this article.
Slade's article is more evidence of journalistic support of crime-fighting. Again, this makes sense because the readers of the Calgary Herald are citizens in this city and are likely interested in safety.
Slade, D. (2009, November 10). Drug dealer found guilty in C-train station murder. Calgary Herald. Retrieved November 12, 2009, from http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Drug+dealer+found+guilty+train+station+murder/2205268/story.html
Friday, November 13, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Overworked and Understaffed: Too Many Organized Crime Cases leave RCMP Feeling Overwhelmed
By James Wilt
On November 2nd, 2009, the Calgary Herald released an article titled “Alberta RCMP strained by organized crime focus”. Authored by Jason Van Rassel, the extensive report summarized a recently obtained annual evaluation from the RCMP which indicated that the Alberta police force are becoming swamped by the amount of time and effort required to secure evidence from a crime due to an overload of cases combined with a overall understaffing.
Within the article, Van Rassel utilized numerous quotes from Chief Superintendent Dan Killam, an unnamed RCMP evaluator, and Athabasca assistant professor Carolyn Greene. In addition, Van Rassel presented statistics, which included the number of investigative referrals directed to Calgary since 2005, the monetary value of seized assets (including homes and vehicles), as well as the breakdown of RCMP members within the province. Due to the implementation of both quotes and statistics, one may conclude that Van Rassel successfully demonstrated the current situation in provincial law enforcement.
I believe that Van Rassel presented the information in an admiringly objective, fact-based manner, with very few problems. He clearly stated the reasoning behind the personnel deficit, and gave a complete comprehensive report. The only problem I had with the article was that because of the fact Van Rassel was covering such an extensive analysis his writing, at times, felt slightly disjointed. However, with such an amount of information, such a situation is understandable.
On a whole, Jason Van Rassel did an excellent job of reporting on the situation. He presented the facts in a news-like manner, and allowed the reader to gain a good understanding of the events.
Van Rassel, J. (2009, November 2). Alberta RCMP strained by organized crime focus [Electronic version]. Calgary Herald.
On November 2nd, 2009, the Calgary Herald released an article titled “Alberta RCMP strained by organized crime focus”. Authored by Jason Van Rassel, the extensive report summarized a recently obtained annual evaluation from the RCMP which indicated that the Alberta police force are becoming swamped by the amount of time and effort required to secure evidence from a crime due to an overload of cases combined with a overall understaffing.
Within the article, Van Rassel utilized numerous quotes from Chief Superintendent Dan Killam, an unnamed RCMP evaluator, and Athabasca assistant professor Carolyn Greene. In addition, Van Rassel presented statistics, which included the number of investigative referrals directed to Calgary since 2005, the monetary value of seized assets (including homes and vehicles), as well as the breakdown of RCMP members within the province. Due to the implementation of both quotes and statistics, one may conclude that Van Rassel successfully demonstrated the current situation in provincial law enforcement.
I believe that Van Rassel presented the information in an admiringly objective, fact-based manner, with very few problems. He clearly stated the reasoning behind the personnel deficit, and gave a complete comprehensive report. The only problem I had with the article was that because of the fact Van Rassel was covering such an extensive analysis his writing, at times, felt slightly disjointed. However, with such an amount of information, such a situation is understandable.
On a whole, Jason Van Rassel did an excellent job of reporting on the situation. He presented the facts in a news-like manner, and allowed the reader to gain a good understanding of the events.
Van Rassel, J. (2009, November 2). Alberta RCMP strained by organized crime focus [Electronic version]. Calgary Herald.
Gang Warfare Hits Hard
By Nicolle Amyotte
The story I selected this week, Gang warfare claims 50 lives, authored by Nadia Moharib of the Calgary Sun, speaks to the report last week on Calgary having the highest per capita gang violence rates in the country (see James’ blog entry last week). It is clearly an older version of this report, but I feel that it is still relevant, or even more relevant now than at the time of publishing.
Statistics are listed in the article, specifically the number of casualties, as result of gang activity as well as the number of non-fatal crimes committed between January 1, 2005 and September 9, 2009. In the article, police chief, Rick Hanson, describes the statistics as “Frightening”. The report released last week re-affirms this idea. I feel that having Rick Hanson speak to the press on this issue confirms that this is a definite problem, and one that the police would like to see change.
Sentences later state that the situation may worsen before improving- quoting deputy chief Murray Stooke. He also states that Calgary police do not believe that they have a solution for gang violence just yet, but have had an impact on calming it thus far. This, in addition to Hanson’s comments, is the opinion of the Calgary Police Service.
Countering this opinion, on the online version of the article, an anonymous comment was posted under the name, “Buddy”. He claims that there is too much of a public scare surrounding gang violence when it is simply a regular occurrence in any metropolitan city, as an attempt to get more funding from the province. There is quite clearly a contrast between the opinions of the writer of this article and the public, or “Buddy” at the very least. With the newest report, public opinion will likely only continue to grow in favor of Buddy.
Moharib, N. (September 17, 2009) Gang warfare claims 50 lives. The Calgary Sun. Retrieved November 9, 2009 from http://www.calgarysun.com/news/alberta/2009/09/17/10951246-sun.html
The story I selected this week, Gang warfare claims 50 lives, authored by Nadia Moharib of the Calgary Sun, speaks to the report last week on Calgary having the highest per capita gang violence rates in the country (see James’ blog entry last week). It is clearly an older version of this report, but I feel that it is still relevant, or even more relevant now than at the time of publishing.
Statistics are listed in the article, specifically the number of casualties, as result of gang activity as well as the number of non-fatal crimes committed between January 1, 2005 and September 9, 2009. In the article, police chief, Rick Hanson, describes the statistics as “Frightening”. The report released last week re-affirms this idea. I feel that having Rick Hanson speak to the press on this issue confirms that this is a definite problem, and one that the police would like to see change.
Sentences later state that the situation may worsen before improving- quoting deputy chief Murray Stooke. He also states that Calgary police do not believe that they have a solution for gang violence just yet, but have had an impact on calming it thus far. This, in addition to Hanson’s comments, is the opinion of the Calgary Police Service.
Countering this opinion, on the online version of the article, an anonymous comment was posted under the name, “Buddy”. He claims that there is too much of a public scare surrounding gang violence when it is simply a regular occurrence in any metropolitan city, as an attempt to get more funding from the province. There is quite clearly a contrast between the opinions of the writer of this article and the public, or “Buddy” at the very least. With the newest report, public opinion will likely only continue to grow in favor of Buddy.
Moharib, N. (September 17, 2009) Gang warfare claims 50 lives. The Calgary Sun. Retrieved November 9, 2009 from http://www.calgarysun.com/news/alberta/2009/09/17/10951246-sun.html
Saturday, November 7, 2009
By Megan Eichhorn
On October 31, 2009, the Calgary Herald reported that the first case heard in the Calgary Court Centre’s new high-security courtroom was a high-risk preliminary hearing for a gang-related shooting. The room features floor-to-ceiling Plexiglass. The alleged gang members on trial will face charges of attempted murder and weapon offences in relation to last year’s exchange of gunfire with a rival gang.
The article only quotes the lawyer of one of the men facing charges, but no one else involved in the case. Dates and locations are also stated, which could be considered facts. The article seems to emphasize the dangerous nature of these gangs by using the words “high-risk” and “high-security.” The mention of the extent of the plexiglass also accomplishes this.
This article continues in the same direction as the many previous pieces about what measures the city of Calgary is taking in relation to gangs. There seems to be many reports on this topic, which makes sense because it is a matter of public safety. Calgarians clearly want to know what the government is doing to protect citizens.
References
Four alleged Calgary gangsters to stand trial in high-risk courtoom. (2009, October 31). Calgary Herald. Retrieved November 5, 2009, from http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Four+alleged+Calgary+gangsters+stand+trial+high+risk+courtroom/2166344/story.html
On October 31, 2009, the Calgary Herald reported that the first case heard in the Calgary Court Centre’s new high-security courtroom was a high-risk preliminary hearing for a gang-related shooting. The room features floor-to-ceiling Plexiglass. The alleged gang members on trial will face charges of attempted murder and weapon offences in relation to last year’s exchange of gunfire with a rival gang.
The article only quotes the lawyer of one of the men facing charges, but no one else involved in the case. Dates and locations are also stated, which could be considered facts. The article seems to emphasize the dangerous nature of these gangs by using the words “high-risk” and “high-security.” The mention of the extent of the plexiglass also accomplishes this.
This article continues in the same direction as the many previous pieces about what measures the city of Calgary is taking in relation to gangs. There seems to be many reports on this topic, which makes sense because it is a matter of public safety. Calgarians clearly want to know what the government is doing to protect citizens.
References
Four alleged Calgary gangsters to stand trial in high-risk courtoom. (2009, October 31). Calgary Herald. Retrieved November 5, 2009, from http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Four+alleged+Calgary+gangsters+stand+trial+high+risk+courtroom/2166344/story.html
Thursday, November 5, 2009
By James Wilt
On October 30th, 2009, the Calgary Herald published an article titled, “Calgary's gang slayings tops in nation in 2008” that summated the shocking results of a recent statistical study reporting that Calgary has now moved into the position of leading Canadian cities in regard to gang-related slayings.
Within the article, the author, Gwendolyn Richards, included numerous statistics from the study (which was performed in 2008) as well as quotes from the Calgary Deputy Chief of police, a gang expert, and a Mount Royal University criminologist to support the claim. In addition, the author included a quote from the report that stated the increase in homicide total in Canada was
"almost entirely to increases in Alberta and British Columbia, much of which was gang-related"
as well as a graph indicating the results of the gang-related homicides per 100,000 people within each respective major city.
Although the article was very intriguing (as well as being very relevant to the Calgary read), upon further investigation it appears that the statistics were slightly twisted in order to create the compelling story.
The title states that Calgary “leads [Canada] in gang-related slayings”, when the article stated later that “The Toronto area recorded 24 gang-related homicides”. The reason is discussed in the following sentence, which described the study accounted for population.
Another similar fault is discovered in the presented graph, where it shows both Vancouver and Montreal had more gang-related homicides (19 and 17 respectively), but due to the fact Calgary had more such murders per 100,000 people, it came first.
Although it is difficult to understand why the author would make the facts appear differently than it they actually were, it would be extremely simple to remedy.
Rather than claiming that Calgary leads the country in gang-related homicides, they could truthfully present the facts as Calgary leading the country in gang-related homicides per 100,000 citizens. As soon as such a change was made, the graph would become a legit presentation of the statistics.
Asides from the misleading title, I believe the article was an objective, factual representation of the study. The Richards did an excellent job of providing the reader multiple perspectives (which included quotes, statistics, analysis, and the brief story of a gang victim) and presented the reader a very detailed and accurate understanding of the situation.
In conclusion, asides from the misleading title, I believe the author did an excellent job of collecting information and presenting it effectively and compellingly.
Richards, G. (2009, October 30). Calgary's gang slayings tops in nation in 2008 [Electronic version]. Calgary Herald.
On October 30th, 2009, the Calgary Herald published an article titled, “Calgary's gang slayings tops in nation in 2008” that summated the shocking results of a recent statistical study reporting that Calgary has now moved into the position of leading Canadian cities in regard to gang-related slayings.
Within the article, the author, Gwendolyn Richards, included numerous statistics from the study (which was performed in 2008) as well as quotes from the Calgary Deputy Chief of police, a gang expert, and a Mount Royal University criminologist to support the claim. In addition, the author included a quote from the report that stated the increase in homicide total in Canada was
"almost entirely to increases in Alberta and British Columbia, much of which was gang-related"
as well as a graph indicating the results of the gang-related homicides per 100,000 people within each respective major city.
Although the article was very intriguing (as well as being very relevant to the Calgary read), upon further investigation it appears that the statistics were slightly twisted in order to create the compelling story.
The title states that Calgary “leads [Canada] in gang-related slayings”, when the article stated later that “The Toronto area recorded 24 gang-related homicides”. The reason is discussed in the following sentence, which described the study accounted for population.
Another similar fault is discovered in the presented graph, where it shows both Vancouver and Montreal had more gang-related homicides (19 and 17 respectively), but due to the fact Calgary had more such murders per 100,000 people, it came first.
Although it is difficult to understand why the author would make the facts appear differently than it they actually were, it would be extremely simple to remedy.
Rather than claiming that Calgary leads the country in gang-related homicides, they could truthfully present the facts as Calgary leading the country in gang-related homicides per 100,000 citizens. As soon as such a change was made, the graph would become a legit presentation of the statistics.
Asides from the misleading title, I believe the article was an objective, factual representation of the study. The Richards did an excellent job of providing the reader multiple perspectives (which included quotes, statistics, analysis, and the brief story of a gang victim) and presented the reader a very detailed and accurate understanding of the situation.
In conclusion, asides from the misleading title, I believe the author did an excellent job of collecting information and presenting it effectively and compellingly.
Richards, G. (2009, October 30). Calgary's gang slayings tops in nation in 2008 [Electronic version]. Calgary Herald.
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