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.