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. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin