POLICE CRACKDOWN BROUGHT ORDER TO 'COMMUNITY IN CHAOS'

VANCOUVER - Vancouver police brought order to the chaotic Downtown
Eastside two summers ago but failed to solve other problems, says a
study sponsored by the city of Vancouver.

A team from University College of the Fraser Valley observed police
behaviour and interviewed dozens of people during three months late
last year, assessing the impact of increased police action against
drug dealers and users from April to September 2003.

The report, released Wednesday, said the police initiative "did
achieve one of its primary objectives -- to bring order to a community
in chaos."

Despite a lack of funding and officers, the increased police
visibility in the streets "was successful in disrupting the open drug
market" and forcing it "to become more orderly and less public," which
enhanced "the general feelings of safety and security." The report
said three quarters of area residents, most sex trade workers,
intravenous drug users, and 15 out of 22 business people interviewed,
supported the police action.