Pubdate: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2008 Canoe Limited Partnership Contact: http://www.ottawasun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329 Author: Jon Willing DRUG CRIMES ON RISE Police Chief Credits New Street Crime Unit, Which Targets Drug-Related Offences Ottawa is on pace to record 1,800 drug crimes this year, and although the decision isn't set in stone, it's almost certain the street crime unit will continue busting dealers long after its pilot project wraps up. "I have a feeling it's not going to be a difficult decision," Chief Vern White said yesterday. "I think it's obvious that we can't afford not to." In fact, White said it's likely the unit would expand its mandate outside the downtown and assist neighbourhood offices in the west and east ends of the city. The police force is taking a "hard look" at drug issues in communities outside the downtown, White said. Numbers obtained by the Sun suggest Ottawa continues to be a "green" city, with more drug incidents being related to cannabis than any other narcotic. BEEFED UP ENFORCEMENT Between January and June, police recorded 899 drug incidents -- which can include any number of drug charges -- across the capital, with 509 of those involving cannabis and 330 involving cocaine. The increases are partly attributed to the beefed up enforcement of drug crimes. Incidents of drug crime have steadily increased since 2004, when the city registered 1,089 incidents. In 2004, about 20% of the incidents were related to cocaine, compared to 34% in 2007. Cocaine has been involved in 37% of drug incidents so far in 2008. Since the street crime unit hit the streets in November 2007, police have busted seven crackhouses, arrested 280 people and laid roughly 1,400 charges for trafficking, breaches of court orders, stolen property and other related offences. Compared to the same period of time in the previous year, cocaine offences so far are up 35% and marijuana offences are up 20%. Police are pleasantly surprised by the response from the courts. STIFF PENALTIES When the force launched the new unit, police executives were concerned officers would think it was a waste of time if the courts weren't dishing out stiff penalties. According to police statistics, some dealers are receiving penitentiary time -- with sentences ranging from four months to four years -- plus lengthy probation orders. "They're getting good sentences," White said, noting he's especially pleased that judges are giving serious consideration to the impact the crimes have on communities. The street crime unit pilot project ends near the end of the summer. Before making a decision to continue the unit, police managers will make sure the deployment isn't taking away from other patrol or investigative areas. But there never seems to be any shortage of busts for the downtown drug squad. "They'll still tell you that they have lots of work," White said. - --- DRUG CRIMES IN THE CAPITAL Ottawa drug incidents (including possession, trafficking, importation, production, etc.) Drug 2007 2006 2005 3-year average Cannabis 932 919 715 714 Cocaine 545 546 347 408 Other 121 117 65 80 Heroin 2 2 0 1 TOTAL 1,600 1,583 1,127 1,203 Source: Ottawa Police Service - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart