Pubdate: Fri, 22 Dec 2006
Source: Daily News, The (CN NS)
Page: 3
Copyright: 2006 The Daily News
Contact:  http://www.hfxnews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/179
Author: Richard Dooley

GETTING TOUGH ON DRUG CRIME

Beazley Promises Police Will Be 'In the Faces' Of Rival Offenders

Halifax Regional Police Chief Frank Beazley says he's going to make 
life as difficult as he can for anyone involved in metro's illegal 
drug trade in the wake of a series of violent incidents earlier this year.

Beazley said his officers are going to be "in the faces" of the 
people responsible for a string of violent incidents earlier this year.

"We're going to have a strategy that we're going to be in their faces 
and make it difficult for them," he said.

Beazley said having people tell him they felt unsafe last year was a 
major disappointment.

He said he doesn't want a repeat of that next year.

A series of incidents, including shootings and firebombings, followed 
the murder of convicted cocaine dealer Wayne Nicholas Marriott last June.

The violence has been linked to a rivalry between two groups involved 
in metro's illegal drug trade.

"If you want to sell drugs and you want to shoot people, you can 
expect I'm going to make life as difficult as I possibly can for 
you," said Beazley.

Most of that strategy is already in place, with officers working 
complicated operations aimed at shutting down the major drug groups 
in the city.

Beazley said a key component of that strategy will be continuing 
Operation Breach, which checks on violent criminals released from 
jail on parole or court-ordered conditions. That sort of close 
supervision in the community is vital to hampering a return to 
criminal activity, said Beazley.

The chief is also planning to add more officers to beats in Halifax 
and Dartmouth, especially downtown Halifax. As many as 32 new 
officers, paid for by the province, could be on the street by this 
time next year.

Flexibility

The force is planning to expand its Quick Response Unit, a team of 
plainclothes and uniformed officers assigned to work on emerging 
crime issues and to augment other plainclothes units. That could give 
Beazley more flexibility to attack problem areas, such as outbreaks 
of drug-related violent crime.

Beazley said there is no reason to think Halifax is unsafe. Most 
violent incidents involve people leading a risky lifestyle or who are 
involved in other criminal activities.

He said his officers are going to continue a "strong, focused" 
approach to eliminating drug gangs in metro.

"There is going to be a price to be paid for engaging in those types 
of activities." 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake