HOLDUPS LINKED TO DRUG TRADE

Despite a decrease in overall crime last month, Windsor police are
seeing more weapons offences and robberies and attempted robberies.

Staff Sgt. Ed McNorton said many of those crimes are related to drug
use.

"We're finding more weapons when we're dealing with drug issues,"
McNorton said, adding that many robberies are committed by addicts
"looking for quick cash."

He said weapons can range from knives to hammers in the robbery of
persons and convenience stores.

In March, overall crime was down by 16 per cent compared to the same
month last year, including 213 crimes against persons compared to 228
in March of 2007.

Property crimes went from 1,071 to 879, thefts under $5,000 from 465
to 365, possession of stolen goods from 44 to 25 and mischief offences
from 251 to 161.

However, there were increases in other categories including break and
enter and attempts (from 188 to 199) and vehicle thefts and attempts
(from 59 to 79).

So far this year, there have been 45 weapons offences compared to 37
for the same period last year, McNorton said, and 63 robberies
compared to 41 last year.