Pubdate: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 Canoe Inc Contact: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837 Author: Matt Kieltyka, staff writer CRACKDOWN FINDS HOTEL PROBLEMS They'll point you to the nearest drug dealer and take your welfare cheque, in a Downtown Eastside hotel game police allege is too common. After conducting a 10-week undercover sting, called Project Haven, on three hotels in the DTES, Vancouver police found out how deeply entrenched the victimization of marginalized people in the area has become. "(Residents) are routinely being preyed upon by greedy people," said Insp. Bob Roll. "These are extremely wealthy people that can't resist the temptation to take money away from the poor and line their own pockets." During the investigation undercover officers checked into the Astoria Hotel at 769 East Hastings, Lucky Lodge at 134 Powell, and The Gastown Hotel, at 110 Water Street, and witnessed shocking levels of welfare fraud and drug trafficking plus poor living conditions. "One of our officers managed to sell his cheque and buy drugs before he even made it to his room," said Rolls. "The managers directed us to a room where drugs were available and even suggested what we should steal for them." Welfare fraud was one of the biggest concerns, he added. "Managers would buy cheques for $50, forcing people onto the streets because they can't afford rent," said Rolls. "One owner said he did that over 40 times a month. Think about it, that's over $16,000 he's making from marginalized people." Staff from all three hotels are facing multiple charges, including 17 counts of drug trafficking. Police say they will push for the closure of these, and other hotels, claiming they only take advantage of people and that conditions in the hotels aren't much better than on the street. Rolls also wants the provincial Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance to step up with more checks to make sure welfare recipients aren't being exploited. Anne McKinnon, the ministry's spokesperson, said they were pleased to be a part of the operation and have been working to curb fraud for years. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin