Pubdate: Fri, 05 Aug 2005
Source: Osoyoos Times (CN BC)
Contact:  2005 Osoyoos Times
Website: http://www.osoyoostimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3873

HARBOUR KEY NEIGHBOURS SAY "ENOUGH"

Neighbours Take Action

No Drugs on Our Street.

The signs went up on telephone poles along Osoyoos' Harbour Key Drive
and the community met to face the drug problem head on last week.

Residents are fed up with what is happening in their neighbourhood.
Traffic is constantly flowing in and out and drug-related activities
are suspected at a house at the end of the street. The problem has
been escalating for about a year, residents said.

Suspected drug deals are even being negotiated in neighbours'
driveways.

South Okanagan RCMP members are familiar with the residence and have
executed two search warrants in the last five months in relation to
drug activities.

As a result of last week's meeting, community members will be working
closely with the police to monitor vehicular, bike and foot traffic on
Harbour Key Drive.

Residents have begun to record licence plate numbers and are noting
the time of day cars are seen in the area. This data will be reported
to the police on a regular basis.

"We are afraid of the violence that comes with the drug trade,"
residents said.

They are also worried about retaliation from the dealers and addicts,
so none wanted to be named or photographed for this story.

"When the police set up a road check a while back, they noted that
every car stopped, not belonging to a resident of Harbour Key was
found with either drugs or guns or both," they added.

Last Thursday, the RCMP contacted the Town of Osoyoos and requested
their assistance in clearing out brush and debris from the lakeside
portion of Harbour Key Drive.

The town sent a work crew who cleared out the undergrowth and
community members put up signs clearly stating their neighbourhood is
a drug-free zone.

The residents know the drug problem on their street is part of a
bigger problem in the town. They encourage other neighbourhoods to
follow suit and organize.

"Everyone on Harbour Key is organized and we are taking back our
street. There is real solidarity here," neighbours said. They are
happy with the support they have received from the RCMP and the town
so far.

Staff Sergeant Walt Makepeace said police will be stepping up
enforcement of vehicular traffic that is occurring at all hours of the
day and night.

"I believe the neighbourhood is fed up with this activity and wants to
do all they can to reduce the problems in this area" said Makepeace.

"Residents of this block installed a park bench for five elderly women
who used to walk to the end of the street every day. Now they are
afraid to walk here; they don't feel comfortable.

"We're trying to fix the problem and trying to make sure they feel
safe. Everyone in Osoyoos wants to - and deserves to - feel safe in
their neighbourhoods," Makepeace said. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake