About 170 people gathered on May 5 at the Grand Manan school for a Community Policing Forum, a joint effort between the village and RCMP prompted in part by residents' concern about drug abuse. Presenters included representatives from Crime Stoppers, the Crime Reduction Unit and the Safer Communities and Neighborhoods Investigation Unit (SCAN).
     SCAN director Bill Hanley summarized the program. Under provincial legislation, SCAN provides an alternative to traditional police enforcement. A civil court process -- rather than criminal -- allows properties that are the site of habitual illegal activity to be shut down. Hanley emphasized the confidentiality of the process: complainants may never be identified without their written permission and will not be involved in investigations or court proceedings. When a suspicious property is reported, surveillance may follow to determine if there is enough evidence to support the complaint. SCAN investigators can try to resolve the situation by meeting with the property owner. The owner or occupants may receive a warning letter or a voluntary notice to evacuate. The last resort is a community safety order, which allows SCAN to close the property entirely for up to 90 days and evict the occupants. Warning letters are used most often, and he said, "We have done well outside of court." To report suspicious activity, call 1‑877‑826‑2122 or e‑mail <SCAN@gnb.ca>.
     Crime Stoppers Provincial Coordinator Sgt. Tammy Ward also emphasized the anonymity of reports. This is the only law enforcement program in the world where media, police and communities work together to solve crimes. In 30 years in New Brunswick they have facilitated over 8,000 arrests and cases solved. Rewards have totalled $900,000, all of which comes from fundraising. Crime Stoppers is for "that one time when you want to do something but you're afraid," she said. "We have none of your information." They have no call display or tracing, and callers will never be asked to testify. Online reports -- an option for people afraid of being overheard on the phone -- go through a secure server that scrambles the IP address. Even second‑hand information may be enough to start an investigation or surveillance. Two people volunteered to start a local chapter with Ward's support. To contact Crime Stoppers, call 1‑800‑222‑TIPS, visit <www.crimenb.ca> or text "TIP212" plus the information to 274637 C CRIMES.
     Inspector Dan Goodwin told listeners, "Your concerns haven't fallen on deaf ears. I'd love to tell everyone what we're doing -- overtly, covertly -- you just have to know we're working on your behalf. We can't do it without you." He added, "Loose lips can ruin long expensive investigations," and officers must think about case law, satisfying judges and everything that is needed to the end of the case. Every officer has probably received "one little piece of information that broke a case. It's so important that we receive this information." Individual tips will be accepted in totality to make a case. He also noted that the recent visit by a drug dog team "drew a lot of attention. That's good to know. I think I'll bring them back."
     Chris Henderson and Chris Johnson of the Crime Reduction Unit discussed types of drugs and the investigation process. Their branch assists the major crime unit with a variety of skills from interviewing and warrant writing to database mining. Henderson pointed out that marijuana can be dangerous when other drugs are mixed into it and that booby‑trapped grow operations endanger people in the woods. Johnson outlined drug charges, laboratory follow‑up and the court process. He said the Supreme Court of Canada decrees that the anonymity of sources is paramount. "We'll pull charges before we identify someone." He added, "Addictions and mental health go hand‑in‑hand. Drugs are a community problem, and the community needs to be part of the solution."
     Responding to an audience question about a permanent drug dog, Goodwin said, "The efficient use of a drug dog is having the intelligence. Setting them loose and hoping they find something" is not very effective and may not be enough to get a vehicle search warrant. A dog and handler are an extra resource to help an investigation move forward. They are also expensive, and the budget is a concern. He said he would commit "to have a drug dog around more, but it's got to be strategic."
     Several audience members spoke. One was a mother who was horrified to find her young sons and their friend had picked up used drug needles; others have been found on roadsides. Corporal Harold Prime, who oversees the island detachment, said, "Don't ever hesitate to call us." If needles are being found in particular places, officers can focus attention there. "It's a piece of the puzzle we need."
     A recurring theme was acknowledgement of people's fear of retribution or of "ratting" on drug abusers. Nurse practitioner Hallie Bass remarked on the difficulty of reporting family members or old school friends and said the community needs to come to terms with the problem in order to do so. Henderson suggested that sometimes law enforcement intervention is needed to get people off that path.
     Corporal Prime acknowledged that people are afraid but appealed for the public's help. "We need first‑hand, front‑line accounts." Crime Stoppers and SCAN are ways for them to get that information. Not every piece of information is useful, but "you may hold that one piece of the puzzle that lets us write the warrant. Please do call me. Call our office, whoever you're comfortable talking to. We will sit down with you very discreetly. That's the kind of stuff we need." This may be hard in a small community, but he urged listeners to consider that people coming to the island and selling drugs are affecting youth and "poisoning our community. I need your help. I can't do it alone."
     MP Karen Ludwig and MLA Rick Doucet both praised the island as a community that comes together in times of need and encouraged people to do so again. Outgoing councillor Phil Ells Jr. said, "We'll measure the success of this meeting by the number of [future] convictions. We need to empower our police force. Are you going to do what these folks are asking [and give them information]? We live in a community with a good school, good churches, good people. Am I going to be part of the solution or part of the continuing problem?"
     Residents' reactions following the meeting ranged from optimistic to skeptical; many still distrust the promise of anonymity. Others would like to see addiction treatment options based on Grand Manan. The village and RCMP plan to hold further discussions.