While Macchour Chaouk's demise did not come totally out of the blue - police have been monitoring the movements of him and and other members of his family for a long period _ there's little doubt

that the incident will not bring an end to the war which has developed between rival crime groups in Melbourne's western and northern suburbs.

Already, a member of the rival Haddara family has been blamed by Mr Chaouk's family as the killer. Retribution would seem a high priority.

Melbourne's reputation as a safe city was considerably tarnished by the last gangland war perpetuated by Carl Williams and members of the so called Carlton Crew.

The events of Friday will only serve to reinforce that criminal elements in Melbourne's underworld have little thought or concern for the public or getting caught while performing even the most violent

of crimes.

The publicity which was afforded Williams and Co is unlikely to be replicated in the latest reincarnation of the crime wars. But police must be concerned that the actions of the Chaouk and Haddara

clans will become tit-for-tat based upon a scoreboard which will be posted at every opportunity by the medis.

It knows that the dark fascination with the underworld is at an all-time high.

We expect that the police force has learnt important lessons from past gangland wars and will be doing everything in its power to ensure that the indiscriminate killing of rival gang members does not

continue.

While there is little sympathy for crims killed by fellow crims, if the public is any way put in danger by the actions of these people, serious questions will be asked about the efforts taken to control

them.

Victoria's and, in particular, Melbourne's reputation as safe and livable is again at stake if this new gangland war gets out of hand.