Pubdate: Wed, 21 Oct 2009
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2009 The Ottawa Citizen
Contact: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Neco Cockburn, The Ottawa Citizen

CONTROVERSIAL CORNWALL POLICE DRUG SIGNS AXED

Privacy Probe Rules Against Program After Rights Complaints

Cornwall police will stop a controversial practice of posting signs in
front of homes where drug search warrants are executed.

The policy shift comes after an investigator with the office of the
Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) recommended the
program cease because the information on the signs is considered personal.

The signs, which started going up in January, stated "Drug Search
Warrant" and contained a space for an officer to write the address and
unit in which the search took place.

Cornwall Police Chief Daniel Parkinson said the signs were part of an
attempt by the force to increase visibility in the community, but the
initiative was criticized by civil liberties groups.

The IPC launched an investigation early this year after a media
report.

In a 21-page decision, investigator Mark Ratner wrote that although
names of individuals were not on the sign, "once a sign is posted,
there is a reasonable expectation that the name of an affected
individual can be connected to an address by a neighbouring resident
or by anyone using a reverse address directory, a mailbox, or a
building directory." The signs could also be "unfairly and needlessly
tainting individuals who have not been charged" by police but live at
the address.

On Tuesday, Parkinson said police will stop the program, which was
suspended in April due to the probe. "We don't have the wherewithal to
pursue this thing beyond where we are today," he said, adding he had
not received any complaints. The force will now try to provide more
information about drug busts to media, he said. Parkinson said three
signs were erected before the program was suspended; media reported
there were six.

The force had bought 30 signs for the program. The first went up after
a search on Jan. 14 at a four-unit building where officers seized one
pill each of OxyContin and ecstasy, along with marijuana with an
estimated street value of $380 and cocaine with an estimated value of
$120. Four men were arrested and charged.

During its probe, the IPC heard concerns from the building's owner,
who rented out the property, and the Canadian Civil Liberties
Association. Police argued the signs helped to address concerns raised
by the public that police are not adequately addressing the drug issue.

Ratner wrote that police have other means and tools they can use to
inform the public. He wrote that he did not object to police issuing
"appropriate media releases" to inform the public that someone has
been charged.

The case illustrates one of the various ways in which police forces,
municipalities and politicians are grappling with the issue of
drug-related properties and their effect on neighbourhoods.

"Police are concerned," said Ottawa Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi, who has
introduced a private members' bill aimed at problem properties. The
legislation, known as Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN), is
based on laws in other provinces and gives authorities the ability to
close properties where crimes routinely take place if tenants and
landlords ignore warnings. The bill has passed second reading at
Queen's Park and has been referred to a standing committee.

Ottawa police Chief Vern White, who approves of the SCAN legislation,
said Ottawa police would not start a lawn-sign program because of
privacy and stigmatizing concerns. Ottawa residents are often already
aware of police and drug activity in their neighbourhoods, White said.

"There's no question in this community about who is and who is not
moving or selling drugs. If anything, it's probably the most wired-in,
tuned-in community I've ever seen," he said. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D