Pubdate: Sat, 30 Jul 2005
Source: Saturday Okanagan,  The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Saturday Okanagan
Contact:  http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1206
Author: Laurena Weninger, Special to The Okanagan Saturday

PUSH COMES TO SHOVE

OSOYOOS -- They call themselves "The United and Angry Residents of Harbour 
Key Drive," and the Osoyoos neighbours are reclaiming the street as their own

"We have had enough," said Dianne Mykyte. "We have decided we are fed up, 
and we aren't going to take it anymore." Last week, the RCMP raided a home 
at the end of the deadend street and found a small amount of cocaine

Mykyte said it isn't the first time. Major drug activity is suspected in 
the home, and the residents want it to stop

"Osoyoos is growing," she said, pointing at the resulting increase in the 
drug trade. "We've got stabbings, shootings -- and this little 
neighbourhood has said, 'We've had enough.'" Osoyoos Staff Sgt. Walt 
Makepeace agrees there is a problem in the neighbourhood

"The vehicles are noted to be at the residence for a very short time, and 
that is indicative of drug trafficking or criminal activity," Makepeace said

Police have searched the home twice during the past five months. Charges 
are pending, but the business hasn't stopped

A previous search was conducted last February with the assistance of a 
Canada Border Services Agency dog team. It turned up a substantial amount 
of drug-trafficking paraphernalia, cocaine and surveillance equipment

"They've been released, and it doesn't seem to have slowed them down," 
Makepeace said

Recently, there has been an increase of theft on the street. Convertible 
tops have been slashed, and a truck has been stolen. Mykyte said it is time 
to pull out the stops

"We have had it. One of our neighbourhood residents arranged a meeting last 
Wednesday," she said

About 30 neighbours attended, along with Makepeace. They came up with a 
plan of action. "We are trying to make it hot for the traffic. What we are 
trying to do is eliminate the customer," said Mykyte.

They have enlisted the help of town hall, which sent work crews to clean up 
brush that was offering the home too much privacy. They have posted signs 
saying they will not tolerate the drug trade in their neighbourhood.

"We are recording the licence plate numbers (of those who drive down the 
street)," she said.

They will collate the numbers and turn them over to RCMP.

One of the neighbours routinely wakes each night at 2 a.m. That's become 
his shift -- now, he watches out his window and reports what he sees.

"They are like rats," Mykyte said about those dealing drugs. "They don't 
like having the light shone on them."

The group isn't being secretive about its observations.

"This morning, I wrote down a guy's licence number. We made sure he saw I 
was writing it down."

The RCMP have committed to following up on all complaints from the 
residents, and Makepeace said they are taking it seriously with regular and 
frequent patrols.

The neighbours have discussed their concerns about retribution and have 
decided to take action anyway.

"You can not put your head in the sand and hope they go away," Mykyte said. 
"No white knight is going to come down the street to help. We feel like 
prisoners here, and we are not going to give up."

Makepeace admits the neighbours may face consequences over their 
involvement, but he points out there are already consequences coming from 
the situation.

"I am 100 per cent behind the neighbourhood. It's simply them taking the 
street back," Makepeace said. "They are simply fed up with this going on 
under their noses."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom