Pubdate: Fri, 29 Dec 2006
Source: Daily News, The (CN NS)
Copyright: 2006 The Daily News
Contact:  http://www.hfxnews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/179

NEW LAW ENHANCES FIGHT AGAINST CRIME

At a meeting with The Daily News editorial board 18 months ago, 
Halifax Regional Police Chief Frank Beazley shared an experience from 
one of the town-hall sessions he holds in various neighbourhoods on a 
regular basis.

This one was in north-end Halifax, and the main topic for discussion 
was a crack house on Bilby Street, which was a focal point not only 
for drugs, but also prostitution and even gunfire.

At the end of the meeting, the chief found a note that had been left for him.

It read: "Please help us."

The note had a deep effect on Beazley. He and his staff developed an 
integrative approach to the problem of the crack house. It involved 
not only police officers, but also building inspectors, 
bylaw-enforcement officers, fire-prevention officers and the 
provincial government.

The outcome: no more crack house.

But the problem would not have come to Beazley's attention if the 
neighbours of the crack house had suffered in silence. The note was 
the catalyst for the crackdown.

That was one street. There are others with similar - if not worse - 
difficulties.

Now, the province plans to help Nova Scotian citizens and police 
departments widen the crime-fighting net.

The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act will create a special, 
three-member provincial unit that will investigate complaints of 
properties suspected of use for criminal purposes.

If the unit's probe finds proof of wrongdoing, it can ask property 
owners or tenants to cease and desist - or be shut down by police.

What's important here is that various agencies will share 
information, just as they did during the campaign against the Bilby 
Street crack house. And citizens can take the initiative in 
reclaiming their neighbourhoods.

Crime is a major concern in metro and the rest of the province. This 
new law marks a welcome step toward addressing that concern. It's yet 
another weapon to be wielded in the fight against crime.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine