Pubdate: Fri, 04 Nov 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 DRUG ACTIVITY RESULTS IN BLOODY BATTLE OUTSIDE COMPLEX Residents at one Vernon housing complex have initiated their own war on drugs. Vernon RCMP report two men ended up in hospital after a violent confrontation between residents of the complex at 1809 32nd Street and suspected drug dealers Tuesday night. A 32-year-old male resident of the complex needed stitches to his wrist and treatment for deep lacerations to the back of his neck after being struck with a ceremonial axe, while a 29-year-old Vernon male remains in hospital after being struck in the head with a ball-peen hammer. "They were still fighting inside the hospital when police arrived," said Cpl. Henry Proce with the Vernon RCMP. Proce confirmed the 29-year-old is known to police and has a history of drug offences. He said neither man has been co-operative with police, and are not willing to press charges. Residents of the complex said problems have been escalating as suspected drug dealers continue to knock out boards from their fence in order to cut through the property to make deliveries. One resident, who didn't want to be identified, said he and the 32-year-old confronted one of the alleged drug dealers coming through the fence and told him to leave the area. "The guy came back and brought three of his friends," said the resident, adding "they didn't come to be gentle with an axe." He said the two residents fought the four off in the parking area of the complex, where trails of blood trace the path of the altercation. Another resident of the complex said the alleged drug dealers cut through the fence to make deliveries to a couple of the 15 units in the complex. "This is our home. We live here. You've got to chase them out of here, you have to get rid of them. And the only way to get rid of druggies is to stand up to them." The resident involved in the altercation is hoping the incident will curb drug activities around the complex, but isn't overly optimistic. "If they come back, we'll run 'em off again." But Proce said police do not condone this type of vigilante justice. "The victim should have informed police of what was occurring in and around his property and allowed an investigation to take place," he said. "This level of violence with weapons could easily have resulted in the death of any of the parties involved." Proce could not say if the drug activity is related to the home across the street from the complex which was boarded up as a result of the city's new drug house bylaw. "There's no denying there is a drug problem in Vernon. Whether it's spreading as a result of closing down two crack houses, I'd just be speculating." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin