Pubdate: Fri, 02 Oct 2009 Source: Maple Ridge Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc Contact: http://www.mrtimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1372 Author: Amy Steele, Staff Writer MLA'S SUPPORTIVE OF SCAN PLAN NDP MLA Michael Sather has pledged his support for introduction of SCAN legislation in order to try and prevent situations like Northumberland Court on Fraser Street, a strata complex that has become notorious for its crime and dilapidated state. Meanwhile, Liberal MLA Marc Dalton said he's committed to exploring it and is currently researching the legislation and having discussions with ministers and mayors about it. Sather and Dalton attended a forum Monday on SCAN (Safe Communities and Neighbourhoods) legislation put on by the Maple Ridge Coalition of Concern Citizens. SCAN legislation exists in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Yukon. Under SCAN legislation citizens can make a complaint about activities at a property that are affecting the safety and security of a neighbourhood such as drug or prostitution activity. The province then investigates the complaint and can take various actions, including sending a warning letter to the property owner, attempting a resolution of the situation or applying in court for a community safety order. Under a community safety order a judge can order a property to be closed down for up to 90 days or a judge can terminate a problem tenant's lease. Sather said getting SCAN legislation introduced is a "nonpartisan issue." He pointed out that an NDP MLA from Surrey tried to introduce SCAN legislation in B.C. in 2008 through a private member's bill but it didn't go anywhere. "Sometimes (private members bills) do stimulate the government to come forward with their own legislation so we're hoping for that in this case," said Sather. "Clearly it's not going to be a cure all for all the social ills that beset us: gang violence, drug addiction and prostitution...but for intransigent situations like we've got down there in Northumberland Court I think it could be of some assistance." Dalton said although he's still researching SCAN legislation and hasn't decided to lobby for it yet he's in support of helping address situations like Northumberland Court. "It's been an ongoing concern what's happening in that area of town -- Northumberland Court. I applaud (the coalition) for standing up and trying to do something. It's a serious situation...I want to do all I can to help in that," said Dalton. "There's obviously already other provinces' experiences we can glean from. I think at the end of the day all can agree on both sides of the legislature that our goals are for healthy, safe communities and the government is open to ideas wherever they come from." Northumberland Court, a strata complex, has been the scene of various police drug busts and arrests for other criminal activity in recent years. The District of Maple Ridge revoked majority owner Jack Athwal's business licence to rent out units at the complex in April. Brock McDonald, director of business licencing, permits and bylaws, said at a public meeting he recommended the licence be revoked "as a result of the poor management of his business that has resulted in contraventions of the district's bylaws, contraventions of provincial building and fire regulations, concerns for public safety, concerns regarding the use and enjoyment of neighbouring properties and a high demand for municipal and police services." The district is now in the process of seeking a court injunction to prevent Athwal from continuing to act as a landlord. The district also ordered strata owners to complete a plethora of repairs to bring units up to health, fire and safety standards. Jack Athwal, who owns and rents out the majority of units at Northumberland Court, has failed to meet a deadline for the repairs and the district is now starting the work itself and will bill Athwal. Sather said despite combined efforts from the police and fire department and the District of Maple Ridge they haven't been able to "eradicate the problem." "I think there's some other tools that are required," said Sather. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr