Police scrap combined drug trafficking unit, RNC to focus more on street drugs

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary will spend more time policing street level drug activity, after its combined forces unit with the Royal Canadian Mounted Policeis disbanded.

The Combined Special Forces Enforcement Unitfeatured members of both police agencies, and focused on organized crime and drug trafficking.

ButRNCChief JoeBolandsaid Thursday the unit's mandate was outdated and missing a key aspect for the areasthey police.

"[Community leaders]were very adamant that they wanted more enforcement at the street level,"Bolandsaid.

"TheCFSEUmodel, just the mandate of that unit, it didn't allow us to get in at the street level and to interrupt that kind of drug activity."

Changes won't hamper investigations, police say

TheRNCwill reassign its officers from theCFSEUand form a new drug investigation unit.

Meanwhile, theRCMPwill move its officers to its federal policing team, still focusing on organized crime and higher level drug traffickers.

Both theRNCandRCMPwill continue to work together on the province's Internet Child Exploitation Unit, which is based in St. John's, Gander and Corner Brook.

Theywill also maintain a close relationship on drug cases when an investigation warrants teamwork.

"We're listening,"Bolandsaid. "We're listening to the community and this is the model we feel is best suited for us right now."

RCMPChief Supt. Garrett Woolsey said the unit's current investigations will not be affected by the change in staffing.

Cautious optimism inTessierPlace

One of the most vocal neighbourhood groups in St. John's is happy to see the dedication of more officers to street level crime.

LorneLoder, a member of theTessierPlace neighbourhood association, said people are scared in their own homes.

"I think drugs are evidently a big problem in this area," he said. "We've been lobbying the police, theRNCin particular, for more patrols in this area."

Members of the association have complained about the drug use, violence and property crimes in their neighbourhood both to the police and the media.

Used syringes are a common sight in the green space on the corner of Long's Hill and Livingstone Street, and late night screaming matcheswake the neighbours, according to Loder.

He hopes theRNC'sdedication to more drug enforcement will clean up the problems residents see in the area.

"I think with a police presence, things have to get better. Any criminal activity has to wane when the police are present, and that's what we're hoping for."

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