Pubdate: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 Source: Chronicle Herald (CN NS) Copyright: 2008 The Halifax Herald Limited Contact: http://thechronicleherald.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/180 Author: Ian Fairclough COMMUNITY-SAFETY EVICTION UPHELD Court OKs Move Against Alleged Drug Dealer With No Convictions BERWICK - The provincial Justice Department's director of public safety investigations served a court-ordered eviction notice Thursday on a couple and their son in the first case of a community safety order being contested and upheld by the Supreme Court. Fred Sanford arrived at the mobile home of Michael Stephen Cochrane, 57; his wife, Laura Mary Cochrane, 56; and their son Mica Andrew Cochrane, 27, just before 10 a.m. A copy of the order was given to Ms. Cochrane, then Mr. Sanford and public safety investigator Mike McNeil attached a large poster advertising the order relating to the trailer, at 42 Douglas Ave., and a copy of the order. Mr. Cochrane told CTV News on Thursday he feels unfairly targeted by the authorities. "They wanted somebody to crucify," he said. "They're just using it for publicity." Mr. Cochrane said he hasn't done anything illegal. "For the last six years, I was running a needle exchange," he told CTV. "People brought me their dirty needles, and I exchanged them for new ones." Mr. Cochrane said he's upset about being flagged as a person allegedly involved in the drug trade. "There's a two-foot by three-foot sign on the . . . wall, saying Drug Activity. I mean, that would upset anybody." The department has issued 38 such orders under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act since April of last year. The act is designed to improve community safety by targeting and, if necessary, shutting down residential and commercial buildings and land that are regularly used for illegal activities. Complaints to the public safety division can come from the public or police. Normally, Mr. Sanford said, investigators serve tenants or property owners with a notice to vacate the premises, and they comply. But the Cochranes wouldn't leave, and the issue ended up in Supreme Court here last week for a hearing over two days. It was a test of the new law, and Mr. Sanford said it passed with flying colours. "The judge obviously accepted the results of our investigation, and the legislation," he said. Like most of the other 38 eviction orders and 156 investigations under the act, this one centred on drugs. The Cochranes were charged last September with possession of cannabis resin and possession of morphine, marijuana and Dilaudid for the purpose of trafficking. They have pleaded not guilty and will be tried June 11. They also face four charges from last Oct. 25: possession of morphine, possession of Dilaudid, trafficking in morphine and trafficking in Dilaudid. They will be tried on those charges Sept. 9. Mr. Sanford said his unit does not need convictions or even charges to issue eviction orders, but investigators can use information gathered in criminal investigations to apply for the orders. This order followed an investigation conducted by Mr. Sanford's unit and the RCMP. The Cochranes own the trailer but rent the lot. The trailer must be removed by March 31, and if it is not, the Cochranes are to be evicted and the property secured for 90 days. A further order can then be requested. A sign saying the trailer is for sale by owner was in the front window Thursday. After the provincial cabinet meeting Thursday, cabinet minister David Morse said the court's decision is very significant. "(It) sends a great signal that the courts are backing our legislation," said Mr. Morse, speaking on behalf of Justice Minister Cecil Clarke, who was out of province. Mr. Morse said this law allows authorities to act on citizens' complaints with a lower standard of proof. "People may be aware that there's some illegal activity happening in a home. They may be apprehensive about bringing it forward. This allows them to do it confidentially, and it empowers our justice system to take action." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin