Pubdate: Sat, 09 Feb 2013
Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Nanaimo Daily News
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608
Author: Darrell Bellaart

RESIDENTS UNHAPPY WITH POT STORE

City Official Says Escort Service Listed at Same Address

Hillcrest Avenue residents are banding together to express concerns 
about a medical marijuana dispensary they say brings undesirables 
into the neighbourhood.

The Stash Box sells pipes and other smoking paraphernalia at 640 
Fifth St. It is also home of Paradise Island Compassion Society, a 
dispensary for medical cannabis users and, according to the City of 
Nanaimo, is the registered address for an escort agency.

Since it opened last year, residents on adjacent Hillcrest Avenue say 
they have noticed an increase in drug users, crime and needles in 
their south Nanaimo neighbourhood.

Danny Swadden operates the store and compassion club. Crystal 
Swadden, his wife, runs Midnight Angels escort service, but says the 
business does not operate from that location.

"In the last little while we've seen an increase in hypodermic 
(needles), and an increase in prostitution," said nearby resident Mike Ashe.

"We feel that it's encouraging drug addicted people to come into the 
area and abuse the system," said Darrah Worledg. "Drugs and 
prostitution are something we in Harewood have been fighting for 
decades. The last thing we need is anything that encourages that type 
of activity." Clem Lavie said he saw a man urinating at the Hillcrest 
side of the building, in full public view.

"This was very blatant, (he was) almost exposing himself, like he 
didn't care," Lavie said.

A resident complained to police about an escort agency operating from 
the same address, and Nanaimo RCMP are "monitoring the situation," 
said Nanaimo RCMP Const. Gary O'Brien, by email.

Assistant city bylaws manager Rod Davidson said Midnight Angels is 
licensed to that address, which is zoned for the use, but said talks 
are underway as to "whether the business will continue operating from 
that location."

Crystal Swadden blames Cindy Naylor, her immediate neighbour, for 
polarizing neighbours against them.

"She's run around the neighbourhood with a petition that we're Hells 
Angels," Swadden said. "There is prostitution all over Harewood. I 
operate an escort agency, I don't work with prostitutes."

The Swaddens filed a complaint to police about harassment from their 
neighbour, she said. Naylor declined to comment.
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