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."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin