statism watch

CBC News
July 3, 2008

Two Toronto police officers and three corrections officers were some of the 23 people arrested Thursday on suspicion of being involved with “a very elaborate criminal organization” that grew and sold marijuana and other drugs.

During a news conference Thursday, Toronto police Chief William Blair said an investigation in February into marijuana grow-ops in neighbouring York Region uncovered evidence that linked a Toronto constable to one of the residences under investigation.

Subsequent investigations led to allegations that a second member of the Toronto Police Service and three corrections officers were also involved in the “criminal enterprise, the primary purpose of which was the production and distribution of marijuana, the distribution of other drugs, and the laundering of the proceeds of their criminal enterprise,” Blair said.

Of 23 people arrested Thursday, 20 have been charged, including one young offender.

Kevin Bourne and Patrick Lee, who have served with the Toronto police for nine and eight years respectively, are in custody. They are expected to appear in a Newmarket court on Friday.

“The conduct alleged by these two individual officers, and quite frankly also by those corrections officers that are accused in today’s investigation, [means] that trust is challenged and we are very disappointed,” Blair said.

In addition to the arrests, investigators seized nearly eight kilograms of marijuana and $60,000 in cash during the raids Thursday, as well as three houses and five vehicles.

Superintendent James Ramer said the enterprise was run by “a very elaborate criminal organization” that was allegedly in operation for about two years and sold ecstasy and steroids as well as marijuana.

“It’s certainly disappointing to find out that you have two of your own members involved, but it’s work that needs to be done. We have to ensure the public trust and public confidence,” Ramer said.

The investigation continues.

Source | See Also: Youth Worker Subjected to Warrantless Raid on Secret Evidence | Crown complained of lack of Toronto police support in drug squad case | Random use of police sniffer dogs breaches Charter: top court | CBC releases Toronto drug squad probe report | CSIS informant admits cocaine, marijuana use during investigation | Canada “Prince of Pot” reaches deal on U.S. charges

John McCormick, Chicago Tribune
July 3, 2008

Experts: Bipartisan support, societal woes could aid Obama’s attempt to boost volunteerism

From Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy to Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, presidents and those who aspire to be president have long put forth calls for greater public service. Some found success, while others fell short of their lofty rhetoric.

Roosevelt formed the Civilian Conservation Corps and Kennedy created the Peace Corps with strong support and participation, while Clinton’s AmeriCorps has never fully realized its potential, hampered by continuing funding struggles since its 1994 inception.

Still, as Sen. Barack Obama called for greater public service Wednesday, some experts predict the potential now exists for programs seeking an expansion of volunteerism to succeed, despite a slumping economy and the nation being at war.

“This may be a moment in time that is different from when earlier calls did not prove that effective,” said Stephen Goldsmith, a former Indianapolis mayor and chairman of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

…

Goals set for students

“We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we’ve set,” he said Wednesday. “We’ve got to have a civilian national security force that’s just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded.”

He said he would make federal assistance conditional on school districts establishing service programs and set the goal of 50 hours of service a year for middle school and high school students.

For college students, Obama would set the goal at 100 hours of service a year and create a $4,000 annual tax credit for college students tied to that level of service.

In Chicago, meanwhile, billionaire investor Warren Buffett headlined two fundraisers to benefit Obama and the Democratic National Committee.

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