Pubdate: Thu, 08 Sep 2005
Source: Truro Daily News (CN NS)
Copyright: 2005 The Daily News
Contact:  http://www.trurodaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1159

LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS TO STRIKE AT THE HEART OF CRIME

Colchester RCMP put another case behind them after a
robber was sent to prison Wednesday.

Michael Upton pleaded guilty to his crimes and spared the court a lot
of expense and time -- as well as sparing victims the trauma of
testifying in a trial -- and was sentenced to seven years on a joint
recommendation by defence and Crown attorneys.

Although the police and the Crown prosecutor seem to be enjoying a
great deal of success at securing convictions recently, what's
troubling is the number of major crimes they've had to handle in our
region in the past year.

RCMP Sgt. Dave Darrah said there have been 26 robberies in the past 12
months. That's one every two weeks.

Darrah said he's concerned about the "high number of robberies, which
is a big-city crime."

In Upton's case, apparently a gambling addiction led to his
desperation and ultimately to his decision to rob an Upper Stewiacke
credit union. He didn't blame his addiction for the crime but his
lawyer acknowledged it as a contributing factor to his behaviour.

Darrah, however, noted that gambling addiction isn't the driving force
behind most robberies. Those crimes are more often perpetrated by a
person feeding a drug habit, he said.

Hard drugs, such as crack cocaine, have made their way into our
community in a significant way and the impact is being felt
everywhere. Stop by one of Truro's franchised convenience stores and
don't be surprised to find the doors locked by 9 p.m. That's the
latest technique to prevent robbers from considering a criminal act.
At one time it was sufficient to post a sign that noted large bills
were kept in a time-locked safe.

One just has to spend a Wednesday morning at arraignment day in Truro
provincial court to witness the magnitude of this problem. Rarely, if
ever, does a week go by without federal Crown prosecutor Cameron
MacKinnon securing a drug conviction.

Even so, how much is being missed? How prevalent is the drug trade in
Truro and how is it connected to further criminal activity?

We may never know the full extent.

August and September used to be a heyday for the central Nova Scotia
RCMP drug section. Teamed up with the local Truro Police Service, the
police agency certainly made a dent in the local drug trade, posing
for photos with heaps of weed that were hauled out of the grow-ops in
the woods and in the `burbs. But where are they now?

Although the drug section is officially still functioning, rumour is
that it's been reduced to a skeleton crew and many of the officers
have been reassigned. If that's the case, is this increase in other
crimes -- such as robbery -- somehow connected to a reduction in the
effectiveness of the drug section?

If so, it's time to get those officers back on patrol making busts at
the heart of many crimes.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin