CHIEFS MAKE A CRY FOR FED HELP

HAMILTON -- Legalizing roadside checks for drug-impaired drivers,
cracking down on organized crime and tightening gun control are all on
the latest wish list of Canada's police chiefs.

"We need some extraordinary help, and speedy resolutions to all these
issues," said York Regional Police Chief Julian Fantino, as the
Canadian Association of Police Chiefs conference wrapped up yesterday
with the announcement of a list of resolutions to take to the government.

Fantino said organized crime is costing Canada billions of dollars a
year and hurts our social system.

"It has no conscience and targets the most vulnerable people," he
said, singling out seniors as easy marks, especially in his area.

"Organized crime is not only alive and well in York Region, it's
growing at an alarming rate," he said.

The chiefs are also calling for legislation enabling them to test
drivers for drugs and the development of better technology to do that
testing.

Brockville Police Chief Barry King said American data shows almost
one-third of impaired drivers were impaired by drugs. But Canadian
police have no legal way to test drivers for drugs like a breathalyzer
tests for alcohol.

"There's also nothing to force those people to give a toxicology
sample," King said.

The chiefs pointed to a crash that killed five teens last month on
Hwy. 7 near Perth as evidence of what marijuana can do to a driver's
concentration.

The chiefs unanimously supported a federal gun registry and the
continuation of strict gun control laws. It would cost $120 million to
set up a licensing system and gun registry, but the cost would be
covered by user fees.

Meanwhile, Ontario's top cop, Solicitor General David Tsubouchi, said
the province is ready to get very tough on crime. He echoed the
chiefs' demand that anyone 16 and older should be treated as an adult
for serious offences.