TIPS FROM PUBLIC VITAL TO ROOT OUT ILLICIT DRUGS

Ordinary citizens have a big role to play in reducing illegal drug
use, says a top regional enforcement officer.

Speaking in Sarnia on Thursday, OPP Western Region Det. Staff Sgt.
Patti Dobbin said tips from the public are key to getting drugs off
the street, which in turn reduces the overall crime rate.

"At times some tips can be a bit vague, but sometimes they can be the
piece of the puzzle you need to make a case," she told an
appreciation luncheon for Sarnia-Lambton Crime Stoppers.

Dobbin, who oversees a 15-county region, said police are seeing an
increased level of sophistication in marijuana grow operations.

She also rejected pot's reputation as a relatively benign drug.

"When I hear people say it's 'just' marijuana it kind of irks me,"
she said. "We're finding that organized crime is behind a lot of
grow-ops and they are better equipped and armed than us at times."

Dobbin described a farmer near Minden, Ont. who was hunting recently
and came upon men harvesting a marijuana crop. Fearing they would be
turned in, the men started shooting and narrowly missed the farmer,
who escaped on his ATV.

"We're encountering booby traps. These groups have access to
helicopters and have even dressed as police officers," she said.

Locally, police act on tips regularly to root out drug suppliers,
said Lambton OPP Const. and Crime Stoppers co-ordinator Mark Dew.
Having Dobbin speak about her work on the front lines helps residents
understand why their tips are important, he said.

"This is a worthwhile endeavour and it's working in our community.
People have a role to play in making their neighbourhoods safe."

The annual luncheon was held at the Dante Club to thank sponsors and
participants in fundraising for Crime Stoppers.