Pubdate: Sat, 31 Dec 2005 Source: Hamilton Spectator (CN ON) Copyright: 2005 The Hamilton Spectator Contact: http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/181 Author: Dana Borcea COUPLE STANDS UP TO THREATS, VIOLENCE Heather and Ed Ambo are scared. After being threatened, beaten up and having their car shot at twice in one week, the couple has good reason. Friends and family are worried for their safety. Police fear they are being targeted. But the newest superintendents at 11 Grandville Avenue -- a highrise in the Riverdale neighbourhood of Stoney Creek -- say they're nowhere near ready to quit. "I'm committed to this neighbourhood," said Heather yesterday from her bustling office in the building's lobby. "Good things are coming from all this." Changes to the area plagued by drugs and gangs have been hard won. The Ambos have endured numerous threats and even violence since taking over the reins as the troubled building's new superintendents in August. Instead of cowering in fear the couple pushed back, working tirelessly as the "eyes and ears" of police and the property's managers. Thanks to their efforts, around 10 of the building's worst offenders have been evicted or moved out in response to heightened scrutiny. Other alleged drug abusers have been identified and served with no trespass orders. For their efforts, the Ambos have won praise from police and residents alike. One senior recently told Ed that for the first time in three years he felt safe enough to go out for an evening stroll. But the couple has also paid a heavy price. Early Thursday morning the couple's car, parked a few metres from their first floor apartment, was sprayed with bullets for the second time in a week. Nobody was hurt in the shooting, but one stray pellet from a shotgun was found lodged in the second-floor bedroom of a nearby townhouse. "After the second shooting we got the message," said Heather who believes gang members are trying to scare them into shutting up and minding their own business. She said their efforts are hurting the local drug dealers' bottom line. "We're affecting their income." Heather and Ed admit the shootings have scared them. But not enough to leave. In the wake of the latest shooting, the couple took their seven-year-old son and took temporary refuge with relatives in the west end. Police were concerned enough to offer to post uniform police outside their relatives' home. The Ambos decided to return to their Grandville Avenue residence and stick it out. They say they don't want their son to see them running scared. School officials and long-time residents have fought for programs to keep young children engaged and immune to the clutches of gang recruiters. Frustrated by what she described as an initial complacency, Heather said things began to turn around once she won an audience with Sergeant Duncan McCulloch. McCulloch turned the new superintendents into allies. With the help of increased surveillance, beefed up building security and more beat patrols McCulloch said police are helping residents. "These guys are trying to intimidate some good people here and I'm angry about that." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin