COURT WATCH ON CRYSTAL METH 'A HUGE SUCCESS'

Surrey needs a team of dedicated court room watchdogs, according to a
report prepared for the Surrey Methamphetamine Regional Task Force
(SMART).

The report follows a six-week "court watch" pilot project that wrapped
up in February. The project saw 15 civilian volunteers in court each
day, taking notes on cases involving drug-related crimes.

"The pilot was a huge success," said Dave Jensen of the Surrey Crime
Prevention Society.

"This is something we need if we want to target Surrey's drug problem
and all the property crime that goes with it."

Jensen said a permanent court watch program in Surrey would show the
community how the justice system deals with crystal meth.

According to the report, volunteers found some of the sentences "too
lenient," particularly for repeat offenders, and felt that "public
safety was not a concern at sentencing."

But Jensen said at times it felt like the group's presence in court
may actually have affected the sentencing.

"I can't substantiate that. It's just a gut feeling, but it felt like
it made a difference just having members of the public there watching."

Jensen said the project also highlighted the need for a drug treatment
facility in Surrey.

"The drugs in this city are just going crazy and after being in court
day after day, we strongly recommend it."

Jensen said the volunteers, which included university students and
seniors, are eager to continue the project.

"Every single one of them wants to come back. They're highly motivated
to do it again."