The nights of boozy parties and daytime dope-smoking summits in Duncan-area parks are coming to an end, say police who are about to crack down on the offenders. Responding to citizen complaints, Duncan/North Cowichan police have vowed to crack down on those who make Valley parks -- like Centennial - -- an uncomfortable place to be. "We do get a lot of complaints about the parks," said RCMP Const. Susan Boyes. "But they're on par with complaints coming from a lot of other open spaces." [continues 358 words]
An admittedly unenforceable bylaw ostensibly aimed at marijuana grow ops was adopted by North Cowichan council. Bylaw 3246 - the Nuisance (Controlled Substance) Bylaw - requires landlords of residential and commercial sites to do building checks at least once every two months and sparked as much debate as a fresh topic would. "We have thousands of bylaws that restrict everyday life," said Mayor Jon Lefebure at Wednesday's meeting. "If they were all enforced, we'd need an army of bylaw officers, we have one," he said. [continues 242 words]
It's an invasion that will cause crooks to see red - 30 extra cops just rolled into town. The police officers, mostly RCMP, arrived from around the province earlier this week to begin two weeks of DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) training. "The program allows law-enforcement officers to go into classrooms and teach children how to make healthy lifestyle choices," said North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP Const. Krista Hobday. "It teaches kids about the bad stuff - like drugs, alcohol and tobacco - possible influences, and how to avoid them. [continues 193 words]
Visiting Schools Seen As a Boost for Students and the Program The local branch of an international crime-fighting organization is downsizing -- that is it's looking to recruit kids to help them help themselves. Cowichan Crime Stoppers is about to enter local elementary schools to show students how they can help battle crimes that are happening maybe on their own playgrounds. Starting sometime after the middle of January --Crime Stoppers month - -- local elementary students will become intimate with the international crime-busting program through a powerful presentation. [continues 291 words]
On the last day off his life, Joseph Beliveau told his mother he was on his way to Nanaimo to visit her. It was a trip he never made. The 27-year-old ex-con was found less than two hours later on Mount Prevost, critically wounded from a single gunshot wound to the head. "I was getting worried when my son didn't show up," said Darlene Holt, recalling the Jan. 31, 2006 date she will never forget. "I kept calling his cellphone but got no response." [continues 592 words]
It's a law ... wait, no it isn't, but it will be soon. A new law -- the so-called grow-up bylaw that makes it compulsory for landlords to inspect their property at least once every two months -- adopted Wednesday by North Cowichan's municipal council will soon be rescinded, said Mark Ruttan, director of administration for the municipality. "I will suggest to council at the next meeting they rescind the adoption to give us a chance to file a copy of it to the Ministry of Health," he said. [continues 193 words]
Calgary Street Cops Still Fear Use Of The Drug Is Going To Mushroom Anyway New, tougher penalties -- including life behind bars -- for those involved in the crystal meth racket are being hailed by authorities, but those who work the street say it won't make a difference. The feds announced the stiffer sentences yesterday and said the penalties for possessing, making and trafficking crystal meth -- which were capped at 10 years behind bars -- are now in line with offences associated with hard drugs, such as heroin and cocaine. [continues 366 words]
The lucrative illegal drug trade is at the root of a possible war between bikers and Asian groups -- and the stakes are high. Warring factions so value the huge money they make importing and selling dope that some are willing to kill, or die, to protect their interests. Cops will be the first to admit they nab only a small portion of dope hitting the streets, so consider what's out there given the cops' banner year in nailing just marijuana grow operations. [continues 101 words]
Listing addresses of one-time marijuana grow-ops on the Internet is slow to happen in Calgary while other cities are eagerly logging on to the idea. The Winnipeg Police Service, with backing from the Winnipeg Real Estate Board, last week began posting a website listing addresses where cops have busted illegal marijuana grow-ops. Calgary Real Estate Board president Marilyn Jones said she views cities like Winnipeg and London, Ont., which has its own Net list, with envy -- and optimism that officials here will eventually go online with the same type of listing. [continues 236 words]
Grow Ops' Impact No Concern The booming home marijuana grow operations in Calgary shouldn't diminish house values, a prominent realtor says. Calgary Real Estate Board president Marilyn Jones said the swelling number of grow operations affects every community in the city, so no single neighbourhood is stigmatized and forced to drop housing prices. "It may drop your value if the house is right next door to yours or if the grow operation was in your home," she said. "But other than that, it hasn't hurt property values." [continues 138 words]
RCMP Massacre Source Claims One Mountie Was Unarmed MOUNTIES YESTERDAY confirmed that killer James Roszko had lain in wait before opening fire on officers with a high-powered rifle. And while Mounties in Mayerthorpe, Alta., have said repeatedly the four officers who were slain in an ambush were well-prepared, a Sun source claims at least one wasn't wearing an armoured vest and wasn't even armed when he was murdered. The source identified that officer as Mayerthorpe Const. Peter Schiemann who -- along with Consts. Anthony Gordon, Leo Johnston and Brock Myrol -- was gunned down in cold blood after being ambushed by Roszko, 46. [continues 589 words]
Expert Says Rising Gun Violence May Be A Symptom Of Crime Battle A deadly battle that puts innocent lives at risk is feared to be brewing on Calgary streets as gangs clash for control of the lucrative illegal drug trade, a renowned gang expert told the Sun. Cathy Prowse, a former Calgary police officer who now works as a University of Calgary criminal anthropology professor, said the recent public shootings -- nine so far this year -- bear all the hallmarks of a turf war. [continues 402 words]
Addiction Drags Once-Beautiful Woman Into Life Spent Chasing Drug It's a sad, alarming fact that crack cocaine affects every single Calgarian. From the obvious addicts, to the victims of the crimes crackheads commit to buy their dope, to rising health-care costs and the overtaxed resources needed to deal with the problem; we're all on the hook and involved in some way with the little off-white rock that controls so many lives. In this second installment of a six-part series, Sun crime reporter Mike D'Amour takes a hard, unflinching look at the crisis plaguing our city. And don't miss CFCN News tonight, as reporter Bill Marks examines the crack epidemic. [continues 540 words]
Couple Devoted To Smoking Rock Edward and Sherry are both 25 and have been together for more than 10 years, first meeting when they were 13 and serving time at the Calgary Young Offenders Centre. They share a decade-long history of time behind bars, days spent on the run from the law and a drug dependency so entrenched they may never be free. Edward recently finished a five-year, nine-month sentence for offences that include armed robbery, trafficking, stealing cars and other crimes committed in 1998. [continues 629 words]
Drug Leaves Users Wanting More And More It's a sad, alarming fact that crack cocaine affects every single Calgarian. From the obvious addicts, to the victims of the crimes crackheads commit to buy their dope, to rising health-care costs and the overtaxed resources needed to deal with the problem; we're all on the hook and involved in some way with the little off-white rock that controls so many lives. In this first installment of a six-part series, Sun crime reporter Mike D'Amour begins a hard, unflinching look at the crisis plaguing our city. And don't miss CFCN News, starting tomorrow, as reporter Bill Marks also takes a long, hard look at Crack in Calgary. [continues 694 words]
Drug-Dealer Plot To Peddle More Crack May Trigger More Criminal Acts In City An insidious plot by Calgary drug dealers to get more customers hooked on their poison has cops and others worried a second wave of a crack epidemic will mean even more crime on our streets. "The dealers are beginning to limit the amount of powdered cocaine to their customers and instead make crack out of it," a police source who did not want to be identified told the Sun. [continues 337 words]
Police arrested more than 100 people and laid nearly 290 charges in a recent two-week drug sweep of Calgary's downtown core. From May 18 to June 4, Operation Safe Streets -- a task force made up of members of the drug and vice units as well as other members of the Calgary Police Service -- hit high drug areas, such as the East Village and other places known for dope dealing and open drug use. "We've been able to actively impact a lot of these hot spots," said police Insp. Dan Jahrig. [continues 163 words]
A man who went public with his battles over booze and drugs has been charged with the city's seventh murder of the year after a man died during what sources said was a fight over dope. Calgary police were called to a home in the city's northeast about 9 p.m. Monday when the suspect called 911. "I was standing outside in the backlane when (the accused) was on the phone," recalled neighbour Shauna Taylor. "He asked me for a lighter, but I didn't have one." [continues 222 words]
A flourishing home-grown marijuana industry has realtors warning buyers to take care their new purchase hasn't already gone to pot. "The number of houses discovered to have grow operations in them seems to be doubling every year," said Don Dickson, president of the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB). "One of the biggest concerns is the toxic mould associated with them -- no one really knows how sick someone can get from it." It's no secret grow operations are big business in Calgary; it's a low-risk, high-profit venture that's expanding and slowly overwhelming police resources. [continues 273 words]
An explosion in a Killarney home initially thought to contain a methamphetamine lab was instead set ablaze by a careless chef trying to cook up a batch of potent weed oil. The smell of smoke mixed with the aroma of marijuana still wafted through the southwest Calgary neighbourhood yesterday, hours after the $250,000 fire at the home at 2616 24 St. Neighbours were startled by a loud noise about 9:20 p.m. Monday. "It was a very loud boom -- it sounded like something fell from the sky and hit the roof," said Connie Loveday, who lives with a roommate next door to the dope house. [continues 109 words]
