Pubdate: Thu, 28 Apr 2005
Source: Hope Standard (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Hope Standard
Contact:  http://www.hopestandard.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1397
Author: Darla Dickinson
Note: Abrupt end to article is as printed on Hope Standard website.

NEW RULES KEEP LANDLORDS ACCOUNTABLE

An information session held Tuesday (April 26) to provide the public with 
information on a new controlled substance property bylaw, a bylaw that 
could cost landlords big bucks, was poorly attended by the public. Of the 
thirty people in attendance only ten were from the general public - most 
were politicians, police, both on and off duty, and district staff.

"I would've hoped that more people wouldhave turned out, but most people 
would have heard about the Chilliwack bylaw which was well publicized. I'm 
disappointed but at the same time I think that most people already knew 
what it was all about and were pretty much behind it," says Gordon Poole, 
mayor of the District of Hope.

"I think that people are pretty aware of it, maybe they were pleased with 
it.... before a landlord didn't have the right as easily to inspect their 
property now they can be more diligent," says Sergeant Dale Kjemhus, an 
area field officer and soon to be announced new staff sergeant for the Hope 
and Boston Bar detachments.

The controlled substance bylaw is gaining increasing popularity in various 
communities. "There are different forms of the bylaw, but overall most 
communities have adopted a substance bylaw and those that haven't are going 
that way," says Monique Desrosiers, acting corporal for the Chilliwack Drug 
Strike Force which covers the area from Chilliwack to Boston Bar.

Strike Force members were on hand to give a detailed presentation to 
residents on how to identify illegal activity in their neighbourhoods and 
in their rental homes.

"What we're here to do is assist and clean up the grow ops in the 
communities," says Desrosiers. The drug trade is a constant cycle and we 
can help control it by stopping some of it at the production stage, adds 
Desrosiers.

There are a lot of problems as far as meth and grow ops in
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MAP posted-by: Beth