SNOOK EAGER TO PUSH FOR SAFER COMMUNITIES LEGISLATION

SAINT JOHN - Donnie Snook knows crime and the turmoil it brings to a
neighbourhood. He's spent much of his adult life working with
children in the troubled south end where crack houses are more common
than playgrounds.

Snook was recently elected to council and one of the first steps he
wants to take is pushing the province to introduce legislation that
is currently cutting a swath across the country. Called safer
communities and neighbourhoods legislation, or SCAN, it has been
adopted by Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Manitoba,
Saskatchewan and Yukon governments.

"It gives the police the actual authority to evict people in the
worst-case scenario," said Snook.

After setting up a special investigations unit, confidential
complaints can be made to the unit, investigated, and confirmed.
Those involved in the illegal activity can be evicted and landlords
can be held accountable for renting to people who choose to sell
drugs, run prostitution rings or any illegal activity that disrupts a
neighbourhood.

"Right now it seems like nothing can be done about it."

Beyond concerns over civil rights, Snook knows that once you remove
such people they just don't evaporate into the ether.

"Unfortunately it drives them to another corner," Snook said.

Fred Sanford, Nova Scotia's director of Public Safety, said that
hasn't been the case so far.

"I'm not saying that they're cleaning their life up and not dealing
in drugs anymore," Sandford said. "They realize if they're in an
area, like a densely populated area, and their activities are
bringing them to the attention of the community, it's not going to be
tolerated."

Out of a 197 complaints received by Sanford's group during its first
year of operation, 174 were drug related. They've issued 41 evictions
and have taken three other cases to court. Under the legislation, the
courts must hear the case quickly. The average, he said, has been two weeks.

"Sooner or later they are either going to get the message and maybe
move to New Brunswick, or give up the illegal activity," Sanford said
with a slight laugh.

To this point, the Nova Scotia Supreme Court has upheld the
legislation and put down any challenges.

In this province, the provincial government has already sent a team
to Nova Scotia to examine the legislation.

"We are certainly looking into that," said John Foran, minister of
public safety.

"We feel that this safer community legislation will go along with our
commitment to the people of New Brunswick to actually get heavier on
drugs and crime."

The Saint John Police Force is also adding its voice to the call for
similar legislation.

"I'm looking forward to this legislation," said Insp. Darrell
Scribner of the Saint John Police Force.

Scribner said it will beef up the police arsenal when it comes to
dealing with chronic tenants that break the law and the landlords
that rent to them.

"I certainly do believe that it would put them on notice."

Snook said he has doesn't have all the answers and he doesn't believe
the safer communities legislation would be the cure all, but he does
know about the effect of criminal activity.

"That I do know about, I do hear about," said Snook.