RCMP SAY CITY FACES BIG CITY PROBLEMS

The public can play an important role in helping crack down on drug
houses, a Prince George Mountie said after the latest search warrant
was executed on a home Saturday.

"It's an ongoing battle, and a community problem," said Const. Mike
Caira, communications officer for the Prince George RCMP detachment.
"We certainly look for assistance from the public."

The latest search warrant, on a residence in the 1600 block of 5th
Avenue turned up a quantity of cocaine and cash. Police continue to
investigate.

Caira said intelligence - part of the everyday work at the detachment
- -is the first step in shutting down drug houses and grow operations,
and the public can be a great source of information.

"(Neighbours) are the first to notice things like increased traffic
where there was none before," he said.

"The next step is to try to obtain license plate numbers."

He said police try to stay ahead of drug dealers, who can set up a
drug house very quickly.

"Sometimes we have to look at it like organized crime - the type of
operation, who is selling the drugs."

He said Prince George doesn't necessarily face a bigger drug problem
than other cities.

"Like any community (this size), we face big-city problems," he
said.

"It's a daily concern for us. We are putting a dent in that crime, and
the more calls we get (from the public), the more we can do."