Pubdate: Fri, 02 Feb 2007
Source: Ancaster News (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007 Brabant Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.ancasternews.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3386
Author: Craig Campbell

TRENDY PHENOMENON NOT SHOE-IN FOR CRACK OR GANGS

Shoes hanging from hydro lines in Dundas Driving Park  probably 
aren't a calling-card of local crack dealers,  according to the head 
of Hamilton Police Services'  drugs section.

Sergeant Dave Calvert said he's familiar with the  claim, outlined in 
a recent Globe & Mail article about  crack cocaine problems in a 
Toronto neighbourhood, that  dealers hang a pair of shoes together 
and hang them  from overhead wires near an area they sell drugs.

"There was a movie a couple of years ago - it had a  gang that marked 
their trail with shoes," Sgt. Calvert  said. "Around here, we don't 
put any significance to  that."

He has heard of at least one case outside of Hamilton  of running 
shoes on a hydro line marking gang or drug  dealer's territory, but 
figures that was inspired by  the film.

"It's not a trend. If you take a good look, you'll see  them. It's 
not something we focus on at all," Sgt.  Calvert said.

A story in the Saturday, Jan. 13 issue of the Globe &  Mail describes 
a Kensington Market community worker  searching for drug dealers in 
the Toronto neighbourhood  by looking for running shoes hanging from 
hydro wires.

"The dealers hang them there to mark their territory,"  the volunteer 
is quoted as saying.

Increasingly visible

The newspaper article goes on to state the "shoes are  signs of a 
trend - an increasingly visible crack trade  and an accompanying 
increase in crime - that worries  many people in the area."

The article caught the attention of at least one Dundas  resident, 
who forwarded a photograph of running shoes  hanging from a hydro 
wire over the Dundas Driving Park  to the Dundas Star News.

But Sgt. Calvert doesn't give the idea much credit.

"There could be unique circumstances. Dundas' could be  unique. But 
we don't know of any," he said.

"I have no information right now that there's a pair of  shoes 
connected to a crackhouse. I'd tell you if I did,  because it 
wouldn't be a secret."

Hamilton Police do not actively investigate reports of  running shoes 
hanging from overhead wires as  indications of drug dealing.

Sgt. Calvert said he notices the phenomenon quite a  bit. Because he 
is aware of the claim they can be  related to drugs or gangs, they 
stand out to him.

The shoe mystery is included on the website Snopes.com  - a reference 
for urban legends.

It suggests possible reasons for running shoes hanging  from overhead 
wires including the drug dealer and gang  territory explanation, 
bullies who have stolen them  from other kids, and people marking 
some sort of  transition or move and leaving a piece of themselves  behind.

The website states members of the American military  suggest the 
practice originated with soldiers pitching  an old pair of army boots 
onto overhead wires upon  completing basic training or leaving the service.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman