COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, TARGETING DRUG TRADE KEY TO CITY'S CRIME
FIGHTING SUCCESS

Impaired Driving, Drug Possession Charges Plummet In Belleville Since 2000

Strong community partnerships and taking aim at the drug trade are
Belleville's secret to crime fighting success, says a city police official.

While a study of criminal charges over the past seven years found
drugs, guns and violent crime charges are seeping steadily into
small-town Ontario, Belleville appears to be bucking the trend in
many key areas - most notably in areas of violent crime, drugs and
drunk driving offences.

In fact, the city is only one of four Ontario communities in which
the number of weapons charges didn't spike since 2000, despite a six
per cent jump in population.

"Finally, it appears all the hard work that's been done is starting
to pay off," said Deputy Chief Brian Harder.

Specifically, Harder said a number of crucial partnerships with
community agencies - everything from women's shelters, community
advocacy groups to victim assistance programs - combined with a
proactive community policing program resulted in the positive report
card for the area.

"I think that's made a real impact," he said, "and we have had a real
community response to many of our initiatives."

In addition, Harder said the impacts of long-term police initiatives
such as Project Longarm - a specialized drug team that involves
Belleville police and officers from neighbouring municipalities - are
finally coming to fruition.

"I really do believe that in terms of Longarm, we are far ahead of
the rest of the province in terms of joint forces initiatives. And
that has had a serious impact (on crime) for sure."

Project Longarm officials have long stated that taking out those in
the drug producing and trafficking trades creates a ripple effect
throughout the criminal world, in particular with crimes such as
break-ins, thefts and robberies.

"Sometimes it's a little frustrating because you don't see the fruits
of your labours immediately, but it does appear by the results of
this study that we are on the right track."

In Belleville, weapons charges hovered around 143 last year while the
number of violent crime charges dropped slightly to just over 1,100 in 2007.

Across the province, the analysis suggests violent crime, drugs and
weapons have become a serious and growing problem in small urban communities.

But in Belleville, the number of sexual assault charges and drug
possession charges dropped by more than one-third.

Drug possession charges in Belleville fell from 220 in 2000 to 144
last year - one of the largest drops in the province.

Sexual assault charges in the city also declined, from 102 in 2000 to
68 charges last year.

The analysis during the seven-year period found the Belleville area
also experienced one of the province's largest declines in impaired
driving - 469 charges last year, down from more than 800 in 2000.

Criminal charges do not necessarily result in convictions, however.

An increased number of charges can often be a reflection of several
different factors, including population changes, heightened
enforcement efforts or an increase in the crime rate.

"I really think our members, whether you're talking about the Crime
Unit, the detectives or the members on the road, are really putting a
dent in crime," Harder said.

The analysis also shows people in Ontario are waiting longer for
justice, regardless of where they live.

In Belleville, it now takes an average of four months before a charge
is resolved while the accused appears in court an average of seven times.

Given the caseload the criminal courts in Belleville have to deal
with - cases from as far north as Bancroft and from Quinte West to
Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory are heard here - Harder said court
officials should be applauded for establishing such an effective system.

"There are many places in the province where you have to wait far
longer," he said, noting Justice Stephen Hunter has been a "catalyst"
in establishing an effective court system locally.

"We have a pretrial system in place now, thanks to Judge Hunter, that
is second to none in the province. Our courts work very well, and I
think our community is far better off for it."