Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.
Over the past two days (October 27 and 28), frontline officers with the Peterborough Police Service conducted focused patrols targeting open drug use in local parks and public spaces in the downtown.
The patrol was part of the Peterborough Police Service Safer Public Spaces approach and the result of ongoing complaints from the community.
Officers on foot patrol, bike patrol and in some cases with assistance from the RPAS Unit providing an eyes in the sky perspective were in James Stevenson Park, Quaker Park, Stewart Street Park and a bridge along the trail near Murray Street and McDonnel Streets.
As a result:
- 20 people were arrested for possession of a controlled substance: drugs/paraphernalia were seized and destroyed
- No charges were laid (available option under the Safer Public Spaces approach)
- 17 Provincial Offence Notice tickets were issued for Trespassing
The officers engaged in many conversations with individuals explaining the purpose of the focused patrol and offered educational information as well as advice on where to seek counselling resources.
“I have been clear from the start; I have no tolerance for illicit drug use in and around our public spaces,” says Stuart Betts, Chief of Police, Peterborough Police Service. “It is illegal and we cannot normalize such behaviour. We have tremendous community partners who are engaged in providing medical assistance to those who engage in this activity or who are addicted to illicit substances. The police role is, and always will be, enforcement of the law. We can’t be everywhere all the time, but make no mistake, when we can get there, we will take action. My orders are clear; there is no discretion on arrest. Officers always maintain the discretion on laying charges where appropriate and based on the circumstances. The men and women of this police service are equally dedicated to community safety, and I am grateful for the work they are doing each and every day.”
