Pubdate: Wed, 19 Feb 2014
Source: Metro (Toronto, CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/toronto
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3462
Page: 03

CRIME DOWN AFTER DIXON RAIDS: POLICE

Project Traveller. Spotlight on June raids intense after links made
between towers, some accused, the mayor and crack video

Police say violent crime is down in the city's northwest after a
massive guns and gang sweep this summer, as neighbourhood officers
continue to build inroads in person - and now over the phone.

"From a realistic perspective - and I don't want to jinx this - the
violent crime has decreased significantly," said Supt. Ron Taverner,
commander of the police division encompassing north Etobicoke and Rexdale.

That positive shift also extends to the Dixon Road community, Taverner
said, where eight months ago dozens of officers raided six apartment
towers in Project Traveller.

More than 50 people were arrested and accused of smuggling guns and
drugs, and belonging to the Dixon City Bloods gang.

The hesitation to declare crime eradicated stems from criticism that
often follows major gang projects - that large sweeps create a vacuum,
leaving an opportunity for crime to resurface.

Deputy Chief Peter Sloly said no reported homicides or shootings in
that area, ranked one of the city's most violent, is a "substantial
success."

But, he said, that success should not be taken for
granted.

"I don't want either the officers or the community to feel that we've
won," he said. The pressure to reduce crime and keep it that way must
be consistent. "We haven't won until there's zero crime for 1,000 years."

So the rebuilding that began after the raids with the Somali Liaison
Unit - a team of six officers committed to policing in the Dixon Road,
Queen's Plate Drive and Islington Avenue communities for two years -
will continue.

The changes so far - including an open line of communication - have
made a difference, Laush said.

- - Torstar News Service
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt