Pubdate: Wed, 05 Oct 2005
Source: Morning Star, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Morning Star
Contact:  http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1352
Author: Dan Ebenal
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

DRUG BYLAW CLOSES SECOND HOME

Police have cracked down on a second suspected drug house in Vernon's 
Mission Hill.

Vernon RCMP raided a home at XXXXX 32nd Street Friday night, arresting 10 
people found inside and seizing cocaine, cash and drug paraphernalia.

Police returned to the home Saturday along with municipal bylaw officers, 
who posted the residence under the new bylaw targeting drug houses.

"Under the bylaw, no persons are permitted to enter the residence or reside 
there until it has been brought up to building code standards by the 
owner," said Cpl. Henry Proce with the Vernon RCMP.

The home is only a few steps down 18th Avenue from the home off 34th Street 
that became the first Vernon residence posted under the new bylaw last week.

Proce said several of the people found inside the home were probably the 
same ones who had frequented the residence off 34th Street before it was 
boarded up last week. Those people will now likely move on to another home 
in the city.

"That's a problem that could be reasonably anticipated. However, we will 
continue to hound them - continue to make arrests and lay charges."

He said police conducted surveillance on the 32nd Street home for several 
days, determining the residence was being used for the sale and use of 
drugs, before obtaining a search warrant.

"To get a search warrant in 2005 is not an easy thing so you have to have 
your ducks in line," said Proce.

He said the bylaw officers noted several defects to the residence, while 
Vernon's fire chief deemed the home to be a fire hazard. Several animals 
were also found inside the home and turned over to SPCA.

Under the bylaw, the homeowner must now hire a firm to conduct an occupancy 
inspection, at a cost of $500, to determine any defects. The owner must 
then pay to correct any deficiencies found in the inspection as well as any 
additional costs assessed by utility companies before the home is allowed 
to be occupied.

Those found entering the home after it has been posted can face a fine of 
up to $5,000.

Proce said the effect of the bylaw is owners of drug houses will be hit 
with several thousands of dollars in costs.

Proce wouldn't say if police are lining up a third home to target under the 
new bylaw, but said Vernon is home to several crack houses and the bylaw is 
actually aimed at targeting marijuana grow operations.

"I can tell you if we find a grow operation in a house within the City of 
Vernon, it will be posted and it will be boarded up because grow operations 
are extremely hazardous."
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