CALGARY - The founder of the Canadian Justice Foundation says that federal politicians aren't doing enough to address gang and gun violence.
Shawn Howard says tougher legislation is needed and that judges are too soft on violent criminals.
"When you are letting people who are involved in violent criminal activity where you've got drugs, high powered weapons, body armour, all kinds of cash seized and then they're let out on bail immediately only to go back and do other crimes and then you're let back out on bail again, that's an issue with the judge looking at that file," he said.
Calgary police Chief Rick Hansen said the court system is contributing to a recent spate of violence in Calgary by releasing criminals as soon as they are arrested.
He said the "catch and release" way of handling offenders has to stop.
"When is enough enough, when are they going to start keeping these guys in jails?"
Alberta Justice is making more detailed information packages available to Crown prosecutors for repeat offenders at bail hearings and getting prosecutors more involved in bail hearings.
"We do recognize it's an issue and our point is we are acting to deal with the issue, trying to ensure that people who we believe should not be getting bail do not get bail," said Alberta Justice spokesman David Dear.
Meanwhile, Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach again reiterated his government will give no new money to hire more police officers to deal with Calgary's growing crime problem.
At a meeting in Banff with business leaders, Stelmach said there are no plans to dedicate money to policing beyond what has already been announced.
On Thursday, in the wake of three separate shooting incidents in and around the city, Mayor Dave Bronconnier said he planned to talk to the premier about Calgary's growing violence problem.
Stelmach said there are lots of plans in the works and that Justice Minister Alison Redford will be meeting with police chiefs next week to talk about how to handle criminals and the justice system.
The province has already committed $451 million over the next three years for more officers.
