COPS TRACK DRUG DEALERS TO SMALLER COMMUNITIES

Sherwood Park News -- Gang-related violence and drug use is moving away
from Edmonton, infiltrating smaller neighbouring communities, and as a
result police are introducing a new focus on dismantling the organized crime.

After a major drug bust in Leduc on Feb. 1, police are saying they are
looking into similar operations and focused response in other communities,
including Sherwood Park.

Cpl. Wayne Oakes explained that the Feb. 1 bust was the result of a
seven-month investigation, leading to 35 people facing 88 charges, most of
which are drug related.

As a result, the RCMP say they are going to work more collaboratively with
the Edmonton police to help find and dismantle similar drug operations.

"I look at what we're dealing with as drug traffickers out there
infiltrating our communities, and now what's evolving is a cycle of
violence I find quite disturbing," said RCMP Superintendent Brian McLeod,
Provincial Capital District commander.

"The scope is unfortunately touching every community in the greater
Edmonton area."

He noted much of the movement is the result of a displacement, because the
Edmonton Police Service has done an effective job.

"Their gang units and their support units have effectively put pressure on
these networks of drug traffickers, these thugs," he explained. "And
they're forcing them into the surrounding area, where perhaps they're
finding comfort in living in our quieter communities. But frankly. . .
we're not going to tolerate it."

McLeod noted last week's bust in Leduc is indicative of how police are
going to treat the problem in Edmonton's other bedroom communities.

"That shows you that if they think they're going to hide in our communities
and continue to perpetrate their crimes on our young people. . . it's not
going to happen," he said.

"We will strategically start to become more focused on how we're dealing
with this emerging issue."

As an example of this new focus, McLeod said the force is rolling out a
massive, comprehensive new file management system that will integrate with
other police services. He also explained a renewed cooperation with the EPS
in tracking down and dismantling gang-related violence and drug activity.

"Some of our members will work alongside, shoulder to shoulder, with some
of the Edmonton Police Service Gang Unit," he said. "When we're responding
to some of these crimes we'll have real-time intelligence relative to the
issues at hand."

He added it's important to get the community involved in the process.

"Another initiative I want to explore is a stronger communication network
with our communities," he said. "Our mayors and councils and our citizens
in the street should become more sensitized and aware of the issues that
we're dealing with."

He noted the RCMP would like to engage the public in reporting any
suspicious activities, and says that reporting some of those criminal
activities may lead to something on a larger scale.