DRUG CRIME DOWN

It's been a quiet time in the city over the summer when it comes to crime,
relatively speaking. But they are guessing it's not likely to last.

Sgt. Ken Marchand says a street project set up in June of 2007 that hit
some major players in the city and saw a drastic reduction over the
summer. With the same done this year, it netted similar results in July
and August. Now police are bracing themselves for what could be a busy fall.

"If history repeats itself, we suspect the lull won't last," Marchand said.

A number of crime statistics are well down in the city compared to 2007.
The total number of drug offences is down, close to 50 per cent with 66,
compared to 121 a year ago.

"Our targets were identified players in the drug scene and we're thinking
that might have put a lull on things, but we'll enjoy the lull, but it
won't last," said Marchand.

The drug scene is a never ending battle for police in this city,
considering the demographics of the population said Marchand. It's as
simple as supply and demand.

"We're a young community, we're an affluent community and substance abuse
is definitely on the radar here," said Marchand. "We can attack the
supply, but as long as there is demand there's going to be drugs in the
community."

The summer comes after an unusually busy first half of 2008, which saw more
than its fair share of armed robberies, vehicle thefts and arsons. Many of
the perpetrators have been caught and for the time being are either behind
or bars or under strict conditions.

"So we're thinking we've got the main players and we've dealt with them for
the time being," said Marchand.

The statistic that has gone up this year is the amount of property offences
committed. In 2008, 1,366 have taken place, up 61 percent. Something
Marchand attributes to the aforementioned break and enters and vehicle thefts