Pubdate: Sun, 05 Jun 2005
Source: Era-Banner, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 The Era-Banner
Contact:  http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/newscentre/erabanner/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2678
Author: Patrick Mangion, Staff Writer

SHOP OWNER ANGRY AFTER POLICE SEIZE DRUG PIPES

Public Complaints Led To Sweep, Police Say

Public complaints about area stores selling drug paraphernalia led to 
several arrests last week.

But the four-day investigation and subsequent police sweep has at least two 
Main Street shop owners fuming.

Adam Chaplin and his girlfriend, Alisha Wolfe, run Lotus in Newmarket and 
believe police are singling them out.

"I really can't understand it. I think (police) are trying to put us out of 
business," Mr. Chaplin said.

Because of the number of complaints, York Regional Police targeted shops 
selling pipes, bongs and other items that could be used for illegal 
purposes, York Regional Police Insp. Mark Tatz said.

"We received a number of complaints from people asking why some stores are 
allowed to sell (drug paraphernalia) when there's a crackdown on grow 
houses," Insp. Tatz said.

Police investigated 36 stores in Newmarket, Aurora, King Township and East 
Gwillimbury. Nine stores received warnings, while owners of two different 
Main Street, Newmarket stores were charged.

Mr. Chaplin, 25 and Ms Wolfe, 26, among them.

'I really can't understand it. I think (police) are trying to put us out of 
business.'

Police said more than $10,000 worth of smoking instruments were seized and 
the owners were charged with selling illicit drug paraphernalia.

It was the first time in the four years they've been open that the store 
courted police attention, said Mr. Chaplin, who's questioning the timing.

Mr. Chaplin acknowledged the store sells smoking pipes, commonly used for 
illicit drug use, along with hemp clothing, jewelry and cosmetics.

However, all of the stores in violation were issued warnings and told 
officers would return within two weeks to ensure drug paraphernalia was 
removed from their stores.

Seven of the nine stores complied, Insp. Tatz said.

Besides Lotus, officers also charged the owners of Times Square Convenience 
on Main Street south.

According to Town of Newmarket bylaws, however, both Main Street shops are 
legitimate operations, confirmed town spokesperson Wanda Bennett.

The town has bylaws and zoning restrictions in place only for body rub 
parlours and stores selling second-hand goods.

Insp. Tatz said front-line officers were receiving complaints about gadgets 
being sold in the community that could be used to smoke an illegal substance.

Main Street is part of Newmarket Councillor Joe Sponga's ward. He said the 
sale of drug paraphernalia doesn't fit into the town's plan to revitalize 
its downtown.

"Other shop owners were concerned kids were going into these stores and 
buying drug paraphernalia," Mr. Sponga said.

"I love to see people shopping on Main Street. It's what they're shopping 
for that concerns me," he added.

For police, it's a no-win situation, Insp. Tatz said.

"If police don't do anything, people will question why we aren't doing 
anything about (drug paraphernalia). When we do, people question why we're 
doing it," he said.

"It's low down on the scale of crime," he admitted.

"Just because certain crimes aren't seen as a threat to public safety, does 
that mean we should stop enforcing it?"

"The Criminal Code is full of crimes that aren't considered a threat to 
public safety," he added.

"It's up to the courts to decide. I think it's realistic to get a 
conviction," he added.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chaplin and Ms Wolfe have not appeared in court and say they 
will consider all of their options.

In the meantime, they have started an online petition in response to the 
police crackdown.
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