Pubdate: Mon, 16 Oct 2006
Source: Kamloops Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Kamloops Daily News
Contact:  http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/679
Author: Jason Hewlett
Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our 
editors may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who 
have not been convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise 
public figures or officials

NEIGHBOUR HOPES TO SHUT DOWN DRUG DEN

Brocklehurst residents feel they've been held captive for three years 
by a drug house no one appears able to close down.

During that time, Brian Nowicki has taken pictures, recorded licence 
plate numbers and even tried to clean up the rundown home he says has 
put "his part of the world" at risk.

"My wife and I are consumed by this. It's all we can talk about. 
People say it can't be that bad, but you just sit here for a while 
and watch," he said Sunday.

"I think it's unfair that one house can ruin a whole neighbourhood."

 From his living room he can watch the constant foot, bike and 
vehicle traffic enter and exit the yard at [address redacted] He 
compares the traffic to a Tim Hortons drive-thru.

About 10 people drove up or walked up to the home during a 45-minute 
period Sunday morning. Some started shooting up as soon as they got 
back into their vehicles.

"During the Thanksgiving weekend we had vehicles pull up with licence 
plates from Alberta and Saskatchewan. I took pictures of them," he 
said, showing the photos.

Nowicki knows the homeowner and said she is also an addict. She's 
rented the home to various tenants.

There was a point where the homeowner tried cleaning up the house 
with Nowicki's help.

He and his stepson removed a yard full of garbage that included dead 
animals, needles and bike parts. He took pictures of the mess.

Now, five old vehicles and two broken-down campers sit in the front 
yard and junk fills the carport. The mess is in stark contrast to the 
neatly mowed and manicured yards surrounding it.

Police haven't been to the home since a heroin addict overdosed three 
weeks ago. Nowicki doesn't understand why something can't be done.

"With the cops, why can't they do something about this. My question 
to council is isn't this illegal?   Why can't you do something about 
it?" he asked.

He took his frustrations to Mayor Terry Lake, who told him to bring a 
petition to council. Nowicki has spent the last few weeks compiling 
50 signatures, which he will present to city council Tuesday.

During his rounds, he heard stories from elderly residents afraid to 
keep their doors and windows open during the summer for fear of 
someone breaking in. Addicts have been found in backyard swimming 
pools and have even run extension cords to outside power outlets. 
Several homes have been broken into.

Caroline Bissat runs a day care in the neighbourhood. She signed her 
name to Nowicki's list after sex-trade workers and addicts used her 
front yard as a parking lot.

She's called Kamloops RCMP to arrange a neighbourhood meeting to find 
out what residents can do. Her calls have not been returned.

"I know there are probably 50 homes in Kamloops and they have to 
decide which one is a priority. Hopefully, it will be ours," she said.

Nowicki hopes council can put enough pressure on police and lawmakers 
to see the home shut down.

"I'm worried about children getting run over or abducted or 
molested," he said, pointing out that elementary and secondary school 
foot traffic runs by the home.

Coun. Jim Harker has reviewed Nowicki's pictures and petition. He 
thinks something can be done on the basis that the home is "an eyesore."

"I know drug houses are a reality in the world today. We will do 
everything in our power to do something about it," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine