STRIKE FORCE AIMS AT ILLEGAL PARTIES

After-hour clubs, raves draw criminals, Lastman says

Violence prompts crackdown on raves, after-hour clubs

A strike force has been set up to wage war on illegal raves and after-hours
clubs.

The multi-agency task force was announced by Mayor Mel Lastman at Toronto
police headquarters yesterday after an all-day meeting to discuss the havoc
caused by illegal parties.

"Our message today is blunt and it's very clear," Lastman said. "Toronto
will not tolerate illegal after-hours clubs and raves. Starting right now we
will do everything in our power to shut them down."

Police, fire officials, bylaw inspectors and building and zoning officials
will be part of the strike force, aimed at shutting down premises that,
according to police and surrounding residents, have become havens for drugs
and violence.

"These illegal clubs and raves draw criminals and drug dealers," Lastman
said. "These people carry guns and knives. We want these criminals caught.
We want to close these illegal operations right on the spot. We will use
everyone we need to padlock these dens of drugs and guns."

The program is to start immediately.

"We will strike hard and we will strike fast," Lastman said. "By
co-operating and moving quickly . . . we can save lives."

Sources said the idea of setting up the strike force was not discussed
directly during yesterday's meeting, attended by Solicitor-General David
Tsubouchi and Robert Runciman, Ontario's minister of consumer and commercial
relations, but is part of a plan developed by Toronto police.

Police Chief Julian Fantino said there have been 49 slayings and countless
woundings at illegal nightclubs across Toronto since 1991. In the past three
months, four men have been shot dead at after-hours clubs.

The two latest killings - at the Web Club on Yonge St. and Spin Cat on
Isabella St. - occurred during parties in unlicensed facilities.

Fantino said illegal activities at these sites pose a significant threat to
the safety of the public and police officers: "We have all witnessed too
many acts of violence."

Runciman called the meeting of police, municipal and provincial licensing
people and other enforcement agencies to consider legal changes that would
let authorities shut down illegal parties.

Brockville police Chief Barry King said it was a chance to share ideas on
how agencies can co-operate to minimize risks faced by young people
attending raves and clubs. King said there are safety concerns whenever a
facility is overcrowded.

Runciman and Tsubouchi acknowledged a need for co-operation in dealing with
problem premises but made no comment on the strike force plan.

During a news conference before yesterday's meeting, Runciman said the
province needs a strategy to crack down on criminals who prey on young
people at illegal venues.

"I want it to broaden it to any kind of criminal activity - prostitution,
money laundering, the sale of illicit drugs. Let's get into these places and
close them down," Runciman said.

One of four businesses targeted by Toronto licensing officials in the Yonge
St.-Isabella Ave. area already has closed its doors, blaming interference by
Councillor Kyle Rae, who represents the area.

Rae (Downtown) said he was delighted to see Cafe Isabella closed after it
operated 18 months without a municipal business licence.

"Finally, licensing staff have been able to compel an illegal business to
close. It's been a long time coming."

Rae said he was greeted by local business people and residents jubilant to
see the business closed, which they say has attracted drug dealing and other
problems.

The cafe posted a sign on its door yesterday, saying it was closing
"voluntarily" after city licensing officials refused its application for a
business licence, and threatened to seek a court order to get it to cease
operations.

Runciman said the Alcohol and Gaming Commission, local law enforcement, fire
and health departments will work together to deal with problem
establishments and neighbourhoods.

The new policy may require legislation or regulatory changes to provide for
fines and other penalties. Runciman said municipalities can play an
important role, through zoning.

"What we hope to accomplish at the end of the day is that we will come out
with a blueprint for all municipalities to work on problems," said Toronto
police Superintendent Ron Taverner.

Lastman said the strike force will target illegal raves but will also close
legal ones if criminal activity is discovered.

Legal raves are those held at places with sufficient space, where the city
has granted a permit or licence, and have adequate security.

Lastman later said a hotline will be set up to allow citizens to report the
location of illegal raves.

He said Canadian law should provide a mandatory prison term without parole
for anyone who commits an offence with a gun, and asked for amendments to
the Municipal Act to give the city the power to suspend licences whenever
public safety is at risk.

During yesterday's meeting, Detective Randy Smith, whose unit is trying to
dismantle organizations that produce chemical drugs such as Ecstasy, told
delegates Toronto has become the rave capital of North America.

The city is also No. 1 in chemical drug use, he said.

The market at raves and after-hours clubs has become so profitable that
major cocaine importers and distributors have turned to manufacturing and
distributing chemical drugs.

"We're looking at it through the organized-crime aspect," Smith said.

He urged government representatives to consider legislation that would force
chemical supply companies to report sales of material that could be used to
make so-called designer drugs. Smith also called for a task force that would
target clandestine drug labs.

"As a police agency, we have the opportunity to go after the actual
suppliers," he said.

"We have a really good shot at turning off chemical drugs."

With files from Bruce DeMara