NEW POWERS TO FIGHT CRIME

In Brief: Saskatchewan has introduced a new law allowing authorities to
move against properties being used for illegal activities.

Criminals operating everything from drug dens and brothels to fortified
gang bases have been put on notice: There are no more "safe houses" for
crime in Saskatchewan.

Following the lead of Manitoba, Saskatchewan has become the second province
in Canada to introduce legislation allowing the Justice Department to
obtain court orders to shut down buildings used for illegal activities for
a maximum of 90 days, or to terminate the lease.

The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act will allow people to
anonymously report suspected illegal activity in homes or commercial
buildings in their neighbourhoods to the new office of the Director of
Community Operations. The office will have two investigators each in Regina
and Saskatoon and if they determine that an illegal activity, such as
"producing, selling or using illegal drugs, prostitution, solvent abuse, or
the unlawful sale and consumption of alcohol", is likely taking place,
police will be called in to deal with it. The office of the Director of
Community Operations can then take action to ensure such activity ceases in
the property, usually in co-operation with the landlord.

Justice Minister Frank Quennell believes many problems will be resolved
simply by advising the property landlord of the situation -- he or she can
then take action including evicting troublesome tenants.

"The experience in Manitoba is that it is more often resolved by the
landlord than it is resolved by a court order," Quennell says.

The act, expected to be in force Oct. 1, also gives police the power to
remove from buildings any "fortifications" that cause public safety
concerns, including "bulletproof glass or explosive-resistant materials,
armour to reinforce doors, and bars on windows or doors".

The new act has been welcomed by police and community groups in Regina
concerned about repeated and long-standing criminal activity in particular
properties.

While care must obviously be taken not to impute wrongdoing or penalize
innocent landlords and law-abiding citizens renting an apartment or space
in a building in which criminal activity is taking place, the new act is a
welcome addition to the powers of police and Justice officials.