Pubdate: Wed, 13 Dec 2006
Source: Standard Freeholder (Cornwall, CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 Osprey Media Group Inc
Contact:  http://www.standard-freeholder.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1169
Author: Elisabeth Johns

DRUGS A CONCERN DOWNTOWN

When Christine Skrypnyk looks around her downtown neighbourhood, she 
sees a lot of drug activity she doesn't want her teenaged children 
getting involved in.

About 20 other downtown residents like Skrypnyk voiced their concerns 
about drugs loud and clear to the Cornwall police during their final 
town hall meeting Tuesday night.

The town hall meetings were held in part to teach citizens about 
crime prevention, but to also learn about the top safety issues in those areas.

"Drugs, drugs and drugs," one woman replied when Police Chief Dan 
Parkinson asked for the top three concerns they had.

"This area is a more rental area," Skrypnyk said. "I find (criminals) 
much more bold, more out there, in your face. They have dogs to back them up."

Parkinson said the residents' concerns about blatant drug use, drug 
houses and drug deals were not issues brought up in the previous town 
hall meetings, which covered west- and east-end areas of town.

"When we look at our list (of most common crimes), drugs don't even 
show up," Parkinson said. According to police statistics, 911 hang up 
calls are the biggest problem in the downtown area. Unfortunately, he 
said police don't have the ability to charge a 911 prank caller under a by-law.

"Why is (the downtown) the most troubled area when it comes to 
crime?" Parkinson asked, to which many people cited sociological and 
economic reasons, like poverty and alcohol abuse.

"We also see a lot more domestic disturbances here, and we didn't see 
that in St. Peter's or Riverdale," he said. The police chief gave 
them tips like locking their doors at night, or having a camera 
trained on the home.

Most residents said they thought the police already knew about the 
drug problems they say are prevalent in the downtown core.

And others said they are pressing to get rid of such problems because 
they're tired of living in a neighbourhood with a bad reputation.

"It brings the neighbourhood down," said Richard Taillon. "It makes 
the neighbourhood unsafe."

"You want to live in a nice neighbourhood."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman