CORNWALL POLICE BRAND DRUG HOUSES WITH SIGNS

Placards On Lawns Where Seizures Made Spark Controversy

The Cornwall police have a message: If you deal drugs, the whole
neighbourhood will soon know.

But their new practice of placing warning signs on the front lawns of
houses where drugs are found risks stigmatizing people before they
have a chance to defend themselves, says a civil liberties watchdog.

"It sends a message that this is somebody engaged in illicit conduct
when that may not be the case," said Graeme Norton, of the Canadian
Civil Liberties Association. "You have the potential that an
individual will be severely affected by how their community perceives
them and the stigma that can result is quite serious."

The strategy came into effect Wednesday when Cornwall police raided a
home in the city's east end resulting in the arrest of three people
who now face drug possession charges. As officers left, up went the
sign reading "Drug Search Warrant Executed."

Chief Dan Parkinson defended the practice, saying it was in direct
response to residents complaining of low police visibility and
presence in the city. Addressing concerns that the signs might
stigmatize people, the chief said the notices are erected only if
drugs are seized and individuals are arrested.

Denis Thibault, a city councillor and chair of the police board, said
concerns over the stigmatization of individuals are moot because
detailed records of police raids are publicly available and are sent
out to media organizations everyday.

"The only difference here is that a little piece of that information
goes out on the front lawn," he said, noting that signs remain
outside a house only for a few hours following a raid.

Vicky Chartrand, an east-side Cornwall resident for 20 years, told
the Star she welcomed the new police policy and said she hoped it
would help deter the city's youth from dealing or using drugs.

"It's about time that kind of thing got stopped around here," said
Chartrand, 39, a mother of two.

Toronto used to place signs outside homes that once housed marijuana
grow-ops, but the practice stopped three years ago when questions
were raised over the city's legal jurisdiction to do so.