DRUG CRIMES ON RISE

Police Chief Credits New Street Crime Unit, Which Targets Drug-Related Offences

Ottawa is on pace to record 1,800 drug crimes this year, and although
the decision isn't set in stone, it's almost certain the street crime
unit will continue busting dealers long after its pilot project wraps up.

"I have a feeling it's not going to be a difficult decision," Chief
Vern White said yesterday.

"I think it's obvious that we can't afford not to."

In fact, White said it's likely the unit would expand its mandate
outside the downtown and assist neighbourhood offices in the west and
east ends of the city.

The police force is taking a "hard look" at drug issues in
communities outside the downtown, White said.

Numbers obtained by the Sun suggest Ottawa continues to be a "green"
city, with more drug incidents being related to cannabis than any
other narcotic.

BEEFED UP ENFORCEMENT

Between January and June, police recorded 899 drug incidents -- which
can include any number of drug charges -- across the capital, with
509 of those involving cannabis and 330 involving cocaine.

The increases are partly attributed to the beefed up enforcement of
drug crimes.

Incidents of drug crime have steadily increased since 2004, when the
city registered 1,089 incidents.

In 2004, about 20% of the incidents were related to cocaine, compared
to 34% in 2007.

Cocaine has been involved in 37% of drug incidents so far in 2008.

Since the street crime unit hit the streets in November 2007, police
have busted seven crackhouses, arrested 280 people and laid roughly
1,400 charges for trafficking, breaches of court orders, stolen
property and other related offences.

Compared to the same period of time in the previous year, cocaine
offences so far are up 35% and marijuana offences are up 20%.

Police are pleasantly surprised by the response from the courts.

STIFF PENALTIES

When the force launched the new unit, police executives were
concerned officers would think it was a waste of time if the courts
weren't dishing out stiff penalties.

According to police statistics, some dealers are receiving
penitentiary time -- with sentences ranging from four months to four
years -- plus lengthy probation orders.

"They're getting good sentences," White said, noting he's especially
pleased that judges are giving serious consideration to the impact
the crimes have on communities.

The street crime unit pilot project ends near the end of the summer.

Before making a decision to continue the unit, police managers will
make sure the deployment isn't taking away from other patrol or
investigative areas.

But there never seems to be any shortage of busts for the downtown drug squad.

"They'll still tell you that they have lots of work," White said.

DRUG CRIMES IN THE CAPITAL

Ottawa drug incidents (including possession, trafficking,
importation, production, etc.)

Drug 2007 2006 2005 3-year average

Cannabis 932 919 715 714

Cocaine 545 546 347 408

Other 121 117 65 80

Heroin 2 2 0 1

TOTAL 1,600 1,583 1,127 1,203

Source: Ottawa Police Service