Pubdate: Sat, 16 Sep 2006 Source: Cape Breton Post (CN NS) Copyright: 2006 Cape Breton Post Contact: http://www.capebretonpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/777 Author: Tanya Collier MacDonald, Cape Breton Post, CRIME RISING Stronger Sentences Needed To Deter Crime: Police Sydney - Shadows of the island's drug trade surface in many criminal charges now at historic levels in this region, say police. At first glance, drug trafficking looks like a non-violent offence, said Chief Edgar MacLeod, Cape Breton Regional Police. "But it's what the whole business of drugs leads to," he said. "People need to understand this is a concern for everyone." Serious investigations overwhelm the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's five-member street and drug unit and devour most of the team's time and resources. Since Jan. 1 2006, the unit has laid 24 charges of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking (11 for cocaine and 13 for marijuana), six drug trafficking charges and six charges of possession for drug substances like Ecstasy and OxyContin. Since the start of this year, police seized 17 weapons, drugs with a street value of about $575,000 and $25,000 in cash. Motorcycles were confiscated as well as all-terrain vehicles, electronic equipment, loaded handguns and shotguns. Tendrils from the drug trade besiege communities dizzy with criminal activity at its highest since 1995, said MacLeod. A comparison of police reported incidents between Jan. 1, 2006 and Aug. 31, 2006, and the same time frame in 2005 show substantial leaps in many categories. Sexual offences have increased by 52 per cent, robberies jumped by 50 per cent, domestic assaults are up 42 per cent, fraud grew by 29 per cent and 23 per cent more vehicles were stolen. Physical assaults were up by 10 per cent, there were eight per cent more break and enters and a 27 per cent rise in breaches of court orders. A single investigation can significantly deplete a police officer's ability to patrol a district, said MacLeod. A recent fraud investigation involving the theft of cheques from an island business is one example. At the end of the investigation, four male adults were charged with theft, fraud, impersonation and other related charges. "That investigation involved 80 statements," said MacLeod. Each male charged is known to be a cocaine addict, he added. Countless hours are spent on surveillance, gathering criminal intelligence, working with informants and interviewing witnesses in many criminal cases. What's frustrating police is that once individuals are charged, sentences lack the strength needed to deter future criminal activity. "The benefits of them staying in the business outweighs the risk of getting caught," said MacLeod. "The system needs meaningful sentences. If their freedom is taken away, it makes it less desirable to get in the business. You'll see a dramatic drop in crime." MacLeod said he is in discussions with provincial Justice Minister Murray Scott and said he believes that Premier Rodney MacDonald is sincere in his efforts to improve safety and security in Nova Scotia. "I'm convinced they want to make a difference." MacLeod said more enforcement will only lead to more arrests. "It doesn't address the cause," he said. "It's beyond resources. "The community and government need a strategy. What's leading people to such destructive behaviour?" Box(es): 14-YEAR-OLD YOUNG OFFENDER Female Charge: theft June 27, 2006 Arrested and released on an undertaking Since her release, there were 12 breaches from three separate undertakings including one on the same day of a release under a new undertaking 15-YEAR-OLD YOUNG OFFENDER Male Charge: assault with a weapon Arrested and placed on an undertaking with a court date Since his release, he has been placed on seven undertakings. He has breached them 58 times, been sentenced five times and placed on a probation order. He breached those orders 16 times. He spent months in custody. He has been charged with mischief seven times, six times for theft, twice for break and enter, three times for possession of stolen goods. There are two investigations involving theft of money from a residence and allegations of a breach of deferred custody and supervision order 16-YEAR-OLD YOUNG OFFENDER Male 39 incidents investigated by police; 54 charges between November 2003 and September 2006 Charges: theft, vehicle theft, dangerous operation of motor vehicle, failure to stop vehicle for police, carrying a concealed weapon, assault with a weapon, careless use of a firearm, robbery, uttering threats, possession of stolen property, damage to property, break and enter, prowling, breaches of probation/undertakings In custody nine months in 2005 sydney, nova scotia CAPE BRETON REGIONAL POLICE CRIME STATISTICS Jan 1. to Aug. 31, 2005 Homicide: 2 Sexual offence: 59 Physical assault: 320 Robbery: 18 Domestic assault: 327 Break and enter: 354 Fraud: 239 Breach of court orders: 387 Stolen vehicles: 143 Jan 1. to Aug. 31, 2006 Homicide: 2 Sexual offence: 90 Physical assault: 351 Robbery: 27 Domestic assault: 464 Break and enter: 326 Fraud: 170 Breach of court orders: 492 Stolen vehicles: 176 (Source: Cape Breton Regional Police) - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine