POLICE HAIL SUCCESS OF CHINESE HOTLINE

A police hotline established for the Chinese community one year ago has
received 259 calls and helped bust several marijuana grow operations in the
GTA, officials say.

Tips about Asian gang activity and the abduction and murder of North York
girl Cecilia Zhang were also received.

The hotline allows tipsters to speak to police in Cantonese or Mandarin
while remaining anonymous.

Det. Raymond Miu of the intelligence unit said the line was created because
many members of the Chinese community do not speak English and may not feel
comfortable speaking to police.

"We find that it's very successful," he said following a news conference at
the 33 Division station on Upjohn Road Wednesday.

"We do have some cases solved. We did make some arrests as a result of the
information received from this line."

The detective said police are working to expand the program to include
other languages like Vietnamese.

The "fight crime direct line" is 416-808-3681.

Community groups have covered the cost of producing and distributing
posters and fridge magnets that promote the phone number.

Staff Insp. James Ramer, the head of the intelligence unit, said police are
trying to make members of the Asian community feel comfortable with
communicating with police.

"The community came to us because they felt there was a need for this, and
we're just happy to participate," he added. "We think it's an excellent
initiative."