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‘Zero-tolerance’ crackdown nets 69 charges – Metro US

‘Zero-tolerance’ crackdown nets 69 charges

A city police crackdown on open liquor, drugs, prostitution and provincial offences over the weekend netted 69 criminal charges and 349 offence notices.

“It’s a zero-tolerance initiative we run twice a year — once in the spring and once in the fall,” said Sgt. Jim Elves, in charge of the sweep.

The initiative targeted street-level trafficking, said Elves. The sweep brought 45 officers — including 30 officers from the central and east divisions — OC Transpo officers, bylaw and alcohol and gaming commission inspectors to Vanier, the ByWard Market and Sandy Hill.

Police had identified problem areas for noise, aggressive panhandling, open alcohol and underage drinking, and “saturated” them with officers over three nights beginning Thursday.

“As the warmer weather hits, it starts to get busier,” said Elves. “We start to notice more people coming downtown.”

Other criminal charges included one 12-hour suspension, three women were charged with eight criminal offences relating to prostitution, and some drug possession charges.

Provincial offences included dozens of Liquor Licence Act offences, Safe Street Act offences, Trespass to Property offences and Highway Traffic Act offences.

“It was very successful,” said Elves.
-tracey.tong@metronews.ca