Pubdate: Wed, 19 Sep 2007
Source: Record, The (Kitchener, CN ON)
Copyright: 2007 The Record
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Author: Greg Mercer

CRACK BUSINESS BRINGS FEAR TO CAMBRIDGE CORE

Fear and anger overflowed at a packed public meeting in  Cambridge
last night, organized by residents who say  they feel terrorized by
drug dealers in their downtown  neighbourhood.

Some women broke into tears and others visibly shook as  they
described being too scared to leave their Galt  apartments for fear of
being hurt by addicts or crack  sellers.

One woman said she has been threatened and chased down  Main Street by
drug dealers because she's trying to  force them out of her building.

As police and municipal politicians listened, residents  in the crowd
of more than 100 took turns venting their  frustration with a crack
problem they said threatens to  take over the neighbourhood.

Many live in a new 60-unit mixed-income condo building  across from
the former Royal Hotel on Main Street and  said the continuous drug
selling is endangering their  safety.

One man compared the traffic through the building with  the lineup at
a Tim Hortons drive-thru window.

Staff Sgt. Rob Munro of Waterloo regional police said  his officers
need the public's help gathering evidence  against those blatantly
running drugs in the core.

"Venting will do you no good unless you channel that  frustration into
good areas, like phoning the police,"  Munro said.

Police want descriptions of suspects, licence plate  numbers and even
videotapes -- as long as residents  don't risk their necks to get
them, said Const. Ray  Mitton, a community liaison officer.

"I'm not asking you to chase crack dealers with a video  camera,"
Mitton said.

Ben Tucci, the city councillor whose ward includes  downtown Galt,
said a Neighbourhood Watch program may  be needed.

Mark Meadows, the city's new manager of bylaw  enforcement and a
former detective and undercover cop,  said a new anti-nuisance bylaw
could give the city the  power to push out some of the crack sellers.

Another man suggested the crowd walk back to the  troubled condo
building en masse and stage a noisy  protest outside to send a message
to the dealers.

Mayor Doug Craig said he had heard enough last night to  convince him
the city needs to consider doing a "safety  audit" of the downtown
core.

An audit would highlight areas where lighting and  architecture could
be improved so people feel safe  walking home at night, he said.

Many of those who spoke declined to give their names  publicly, saying
they were afraid of retribution from  the crack pushers they share
hallways with.

"There's a real fear factor at work here," said Scot  Ferguson, a
condo resident who said his unit was  recently broken into.

"People are afraid to speak out. This has to stop."

Representatives from the company that manages  Ferguson's building,
Sherwood Park Management, said  they will consider adding a security
guard and cameras  and installing better door locks at 115 Main St.

They said they also need the help of tenants, willing  to write
letters and testify at eviction tribunals, to  kick out known drug
dealers.
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MAP posted-by: Derek