Pubdate: Wed, 18 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: Catherine Litt

DRUG-HOUSE BATTLE WILL TAKE SOME TIME

It's a shame it takes so long for police to gather evidence against 
suspected drug houses.

For three years, residents in the 600 block of Westgate Street in 
Brocklehurst say they've been held emotional hostage by a house they 
say is known for its drug trade.

Traffic is so busy at the house, one neighbour compared it to a 
drive-thru -- a constant stream of foot, bike and vehicle traffic all 
believed to be in search of drugs.

Indeed, the numbers are difficult to ignore.

During a 45-minute interview with Brian Nowicki, who can see the 
house from his living room window, Daily News reporter Jason Hewlett 
counted nearly a dozen people drive up or walk to the suspected drug den.

"I think it's unfair that one house can ruin a whole neighbourhood," 
Nowicki told our reporter.

Yes, it is unfair. But it's not easy to rid neighbourhoods of drug 
houses, as many Canadian communities have learned. The fact that a 
house has a lot of traffic doesn't necessarily prove criminal 
activity is happening there.

But in the case of the Westgate house, there's more than a high 
traffic count to indicate something is amiss. Nowicki says he knows 
the homeowner and claims she is an addict.

He says she once tried to clean up the house, with his help, removing 
yard garbage that included needles and dead animals. But the cleanup 
didn't last long. Now the yard is cluttered with old vehicles, 
broken-down campers and assorted junk.

Police are at least familiar with the property -- they were called 
three weeks ago when a heroin addict overdosed at the house -- but 
according to Nowicki they are doing little to shut down the notorious property.

And another neighbour who runs a day care says her calls to Kamloops 
RCMP for a neighbourhood meeting haven't been returned.

So where does that leave the neighbours? In the unenviable position 
of waiting   and waiting   for the law to finally get on their side. 
And that's unfortunate.

If the house is exactly what the neighbours claim it to be, then we 
hope police will step up their patrols. Surely, it can't be difficult 
for them to assemble the necessary evidence.

In the meantime, we applaud the neighbours for their courage in going 
public and hope they keep the pressure on police, civic officials and 
the homeowner.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine