Rogues on the web

Alberta's plan to post photos of high-risk crooks blasted by rights group

By RAQUEL EXNER-- Sun Media


EDMONTON -- The province of Alberta is setting up a Web site that posts photos and details of high-risk criminals, The Sun has learned - a plan that has city cops and civil-rights groups fearing it will increase vigilante action and drive more offenders underground.

There's no benefit to "branding" offenders, says Ed O'Neill, past-president of the Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association.

"It would arguably impede their rehabilitation (and) it does drive individuals underground," said O'Neill.

"People are reticent to obtain treatment.

"It's counter productive in many respects."

Police also worry the site will ruin the good rapport detectives have with offenders, and trigger extra work and expenses, said spokesman Wes Bellmore.

"It will more than double the work our dangerous offender unit needs to do," said Bellmore.

Any offender police issue a public warning about will be featured on the site - due to be running by month's end - for one year.

Police are to re-evaluate the risk of each individual annually before deciding if their mugs will remain on the site, which may also be retroactive and feature offenders who've already been the subject of public disclosures.