Pubdate: Fri, 16 Jan 2009
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2009 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Kenyon Wallace
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?216 (CN Police)

CORNWALL POLICE BRAND DRUG HOUSES WITH SIGNS

Placards On Lawns Where Seizures Made Spark Controversy

The Cornwall police have a message: If you deal drugs, the whole 
neighbourhood will soon know.

But their new practice of placing warning signs on the front lawns of 
houses where drugs are found risks stigmatizing people before they 
have a chance to defend themselves, says a civil liberties watchdog.

"It sends a message that this is somebody engaged in illicit conduct 
when that may not be the case," said Graeme Norton, of the Canadian 
Civil Liberties Association. "You have the potential that an 
individual will be severely affected by how their community perceives 
them and the stigma that can result is quite serious."

The strategy came into effect Wednesday when Cornwall police raided a 
home in the city's east end resulting in the arrest of three people 
who now face drug possession charges. As officers left, up went the 
sign reading "Drug Search Warrant Executed."

Chief Dan Parkinson defended the practice, saying it was in direct 
response to residents complaining of low police visibility and 
presence in the city. Addressing concerns that the signs might 
stigmatize people, the chief said the notices are erected only if 
drugs are seized and individuals are arrested.

Denis Thibault, a city councillor and chair of the police board, said 
concerns over the stigmatization of individuals are moot because 
detailed records of police raids are publicly available and are sent 
out to media organizations everyday.

"The only difference here is that a little piece of that information 
goes out on the front lawn," he said, noting that signs remain 
outside a house only for a few hours following a raid.

Vicky Chartrand, an east-side Cornwall resident for 20 years, told 
the Star she welcomed the new police policy and said she hoped it 
would help deter the city's youth from dealing or using drugs.

"It's about time that kind of thing got stopped around here," said 
Chartrand, 39, a mother of two.

Toronto used to place signs outside homes that once housed marijuana 
grow-ops, but the practice stopped three years ago when questions 
were raised over the city's legal jurisdiction to do so.
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