Pubdate: Sat, 17 Dec 2005
Source: Delta Optimist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc
Contact:  http://www.delta-optimist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1265
Author: Maureen Gulyas

DRUG DEALER IS BANNED FROM REC. FACILITIES

A convicted drug dealer has been banned indefinitely from using
Delta's parks and recreation facilities, the Optimist has learned.

Chris Cameron, released recently after serving just eight months of a
four-year sentence for cocaine trafficking, was banned, with no time
or date stipulated, following a unanimous vote of Delta council Monday.

"He's already been given notice a couple of times, so council has
taken more permanent action on this," said Mayor Lois Jackson, who
also sits as chair of the Delta police board.

"We have young children that use those facilities and, frankly, they
take precedence," Jackson added.

Cameron is not alone. Other individuals have been banned from public
recreation facilities under a policy that allows staff to remove or
ban patrons who cause a disturbance, chief administrative officer
George Harvie explained.

"It's not a right to use our facilities, it's a privilege," Delta's
top bureaucrat said.

It's not that Cameron was selling drugs at the facilities, something
residents complained to police about during the 2004 investigation,
but that he was simply acting in a "disruptive" manner, Harvie explained.

"He was banned due to his disruptive behaviour, which was in conflict
with our policy. We have banned others for the same reason and we will
continue to ban others if they disrupt other patrons and our staff,"
Harvie said.

Cameron was believed to be the ring leader of a sophisticated
dial-a-dope scheme in South Delta, which was the focus of a five-month
undercover police investigation.

In September of 2004, police executed a search warrant at Cameron's
residence in the 5000-block of 59th Street. Officers seized 1.52 kg of
cocaine, 13 grams of crack cocaine, 83 grams of marijuana and ecstasy
pills. They also sized $11,000 in cash.

Dubbed Operation Big Wheels after Cameron's distinctive black pickup
truck positioned on top of four giant tires, he was one of six people
arrested.

Cameron pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in February of
this year and was sentenced to four years.

He was released in October by the National Parole board under an
accelerated review. Accelerated parole applies to first-time offenders
serving federal time who show no evidence of committing a violent act
during their crime.

Although the parole board member who released him was not convinced
Cameron had been rehabilitated during the eight months he spent in
prison, the offender met the requirements and was released.

The board member said: "You have demonstrated only minimal concern for
your local community."

Stating Cameron was "devoid of social conscience," the board member
continued: "You have not offered any evidence regarding your
motivation to change and it is believed that your potential to return
to the community as a law-abiding citizen is moderate."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin