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