BYLAW BOSS LEADS DRUG CRACKDOWN

A clampdown on drug dealers in downtown Calgary is already underway, says
the city's bylaw boss. City politicians, police and business leaders
pledged to get tough on undesirable activity in the core, particularly
along the 7 Ave. strip, in yesterday's Sun.

Upcoming strategy sessions will include everything from dealing with crack
addicts and their pushers, to cleaning up graffiti and litter in the area.

Part of this mop-up has already started, said bylaw department head Bill Bruce.

"We've got a good handle on it and we're just going to go through every
back alley and see what we can find," Bruce said.

"We'll pull some resources from the quieter areas and focus attention on
one area ... and then it's easier to maintain."

But any solution to the city core's ills must also address social issues,
said Calgary Downtown Association president Richard White.

"We don't want to lump this all together -- if it's criminal activity, it
needs to be dealt with as criminal activity," White said.

"But it's not a crime to be homeless."

In 2004 alone, more than 950 tips on pot grow ops came into the Calgary
Crime Stoppers line from across the city, said Sgt. Roger Morrison of the
drug section.