DRUG USE CRACKDOWN PAYS OFF: POLICE

Red Deer is becoming less popular for criminals because police are
cracking down on drug users, said police.

The latest statistics show the RCMP are investigating double the
number of drug crimes as last year, said Insp. Peter Calvert.

Police investigated 397 drug cases as of May 31, compared with 199
during the same five months last year.

Cases of trafficking small amounts of marijuana jumped to 101 from
15.

The increased enforcement has led to more drug busts and seizures,
Calvert told the city policing committee's regular meeting on Tuesday.

"We want to make the community less desirable for people who sell
drugs," said Calvert.

"Eventually you get the message across that it is unacceptable in Red
Deer."

He said the numbers will eventually hit a plateau and begin falling.

The increased drug enforcement has been a factor in slightly reduced
property crimes, said Calvert.

Drug addicts tend to steal property and weapons to sell or trade to
obtain drugs, he said. When there are fewer drugs to buy, the need to
steal drops.

Calvert credited changes to Red Deer RCMP's drug squad last year. The
squad became a street team and increased to five members from four. It
took on a wider mandate that includes combating drug-related crime
such as thefts.

Crime rates - which were soaring last year - are leveling out.

Criminal Code offences totaled 6,382 as of May 31, a four per cent
increase from the same five-month period last year.

Property crimes fell by one per cent to 3,308 cases as of May 31. The
drop was more dramatic - nearly 30 per cent - in May compared to May
2003.

Theft from vehicles dropped in May to 188 compared with 287 in May
2003. But the numbers were still higher for the year to date.

Break and enters dropped in half in May, down to 94 from 189 in May
2003. They are also down 15 per cent for the year to date.