CRACKTOWN WALKABOUT EXPOSES HOT SPOTS

"Welcome to Cracktown," a man announces as nearly 100 residents of the
downtown core walk through Cathedral Square on Dundas and Mutual Sts.

"It's sad to hear that, but people say it because it's true," said
Rick Pereira, who has lived near Dalhousie and Dundas Sts. for 13
years. Pereira, 46, is the organizer of last night's community
walkabout, which brought politicians, police and locals together to
hash out concerns about rising criminal activity in the area.

Just three days ago, a man was shot to death in a Church St.
apartment.

"This walkaround is not in response to the shooting. The killing here
is just a culmination of what's been happening here in the last three
to four months," he said.

Area residents headed along Dundas St. to Jarvis St., alerting
accompanying police officers and city councillor Kyle Rae to hot spots
for prostitution, drug deals and theft.

Some pointed out areas they say are not properly lit, others flower
beds where addicts stash their drugs.

Sgt. Dan McDermott rode with the group on his bike.

"We do our best. Officers are getting out of their cars and taking to
the streets ... but the whole division is a problem area. Now that
we've been shown these hot spots, we can better target the problem by
patrolling at certain times and sending more officers," he said in
response to criticisms police are often too slow to respond to problems.

But Cheryl Miller, 52, thinks police will never be able to resolve the
problem alone.

"We need another set of eyes on the street. We need the Guardian
Angels," said Miller, who recently signed up with the controversial
community watch group.

Coincidentally, the Guardian Angels set out on their first Toronto
patrol yesterday evening, targeting the back alleys along Sherbourne
St.

Lou Hoffer, the group's national director, said he wishes police would
open their eyes and realize they're not there to compete."We have a
27-year track record."