Pubdate: Thu, 26 Aug 2004
Source: Record, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.royalcityrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1654
Author: Ron Devitt

POLICE ASK RESIDENTS TO CALL IF DRUGS ARE INVOLVED

New Westminster police are asking city residents to contact them to 
properly dispose of drugs or drug paraphernalia.

Recently, a resident living in the 500 block of 10th Street went to work on 
his motorcycle in his apartment complex parking lot and was surprised to 
hear the breaking of glass as he lifted the plastic tarp off the bike.

He found a broken medical tube at his feet and then discovered a plastic 
bag full of lighters and other paraphernalia related to the use of drugs.

He believes the police may have scared someone into his parking area and 
that person hid the stash in the tarp until they could come back when it 
was safe.

"Somebody got nervous with what they were carrying and dumped it," said the 
resident, who identified himself only as Bruce.

A little worried about the drug paraphernalia being hidden under his bike, 
he decided to contact the authorities.

"I phoned the cops the first time and I told them I found some drug 
paraphernalia and they said 'throw it out,'" said Bruce. "I went to throw 
it out and opened the metal case and found five bags of drugs."

He phoned the police back to tell them about his discovery of bags he 
believed to be crack cocaine, but the phone went dead as he began to 
explain his find.

Fearing that the police didn't care, Bruce called the mayor's office and 
the newspapers.

New Westminster police Sgt. Doug Deacon admits there was a glitch in 
communication. He said police didn't have time to get Bruce's contact 
information before they were cut off during the second call.

He said police will, in almost all cases, come around and pick up drugs 
found lying around so they can be properly disposed of as outlined by 
federal policy.

"Each case has to be weighed on its own merits," said Deacon. "If it's 
something that's so minor like a marijuana joint we might just say throw it 
in the garbage, if it's something like needles or a larger amount of drugs 
we would certainly come out."

Deacon said there is a person on staff assigned to the disposal of drugs.
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