CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Coun. Mitchell Tweel isn’t backing down from his comments that there are 70 drug houses in Charlottetown.
Tweel tabled a motion at city council’s regular public meeting on Monday, asking that the city draft a letter requesting government bring in a civil forfeiture law, legislation that would give police forces the right to seize property.
Some people on social media found that number was high, and one of Tweel’s colleagues, who didn’t want to be quoted, feels the number is more likely in the 15 to 20 range.
Tweel said Wednesday he didn’t get his number from Charlottetown Police Services and challenges anyone to come up with a number that is different.
“It’s my own estimate,’’ Tweel said, “from talking to people in the neighbourhood, and I’m sticking to it. Actually, I think that’s a conservative estimate.’’
Deputy Police Chief Brad MacConnell wouldn’t give a specific number, saying only that the sale of illicit drugs remains a serious issue in the city and province.
When asked to define what he means by a drug house, Tweel said anywhere where illegal drugs are sold.
