CRIME-BUSTING SPECIAL TASK FORCE TO BE PERMANENT?

A police task force set up late last year to fight street crime in
the city's West End may become a permanent fixture, police said yesterday.

But what shape and scope it takes is still being studied, Insp. Boyd
Campbell said after releasing month-end arrest and seizure statistics
on the Operation Clean Sweep program.

He said the thinking is that such a unit could respond quickly to
problems in any part of the city as trends dictate.

He also said since last November when Clean Sweep hit, street crime
in the West End has decreased.

"I think we're seeing an improvement now," he said, adding that view
comes from officers on the ground and feedback from the community.

Despite that, officers assigned to Clean Sweep made 128 Criminal Code
arrests in March compared to 120 in February and 131 in January. To
date, 209 people have been charged with Criminal Code offences. Since
November, 167 people have been charged with drug offences under the
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Campbell also said warmer spring weather will bring more people
outside and likely increase street crime not only in the West End,
but other parts of the city.

Clean Sweep was created by Mayor Sam Katz and police Chief Jack
Ewatski in the wake of the Oct. 10 fatal shooting of an innocent
17-year-old boy in a gang shootout.

Katz also gave police $800,000 for additional overtime with the
police service also earmarking another $800,000.

*SIDEBAR*

By the numbers

Here are the statistics for March 1 to April 2 for Operation Clean Sweep.

(Project totals in brackets)

* Cocaine seizures: 214.7 grams (2,777.8 grams)

* Marijuana seizures: 8,959 grams (32,742.1 grams)

* Currency seizures: $15,770 CDN ($137,642.24 CDN)

* Weapons seizures: three, including 54 shotgun shells and
bulletproof vest, (40)

* Traffic stops: 356 (1,150)

* Spot checks of gang members and associates: 259 (1,003)

* Beat-walking person hours: 913 (4,289.5)

Police also said people concerned about crime in the West End can
call the Clean Sweep Tip Line at 986-8535, r follow the link at the
Winnipeg police website (www.winnipeg.ca/police) by clicking on
"Operation Clean Sweep" or contact Crime Stoppers at 786-8477.