Pubdate: Sat, 25 Jan 2014
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.ottawasun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Danielle Bell

TOO SCARED TO COME FORWARD

It started with eight men taking over her home. Next, fear took hold
and she's not alone, according to Ottawa police

It's an unbelievable crime most of us probably can't quite grasp. Home
takeovers. A group of people up to no good - thugs, really - literally
take over your home. Your home becomes their new base to carry out
their criminal activities - drug deals, gang activity.

These lowlifes target the most vulnerable people - people who are
recovering from addictions and can't protect themselves. Or seniors
who are bewildered and scared for their lives. Or adults who have
mental disabilities.

In all cases, they are too scared to speak, too terrified to call the
police, too frightened for their safety or that of their loved ones.
They live in poor areas, sometimes live on the fringes of society,
sometimes have their own issues with police. They believe they are
helpless.

Home takeovers - call it urban terrorism.

It's still hard to believe. Someone just knocks on your door, barges
in and takes over? You have no connection to them? Really, in Ottawa?

So far this year, Ottawa Police know of five home takeovers. Last
year, there were 35.

It can happen in many different ways. You don't know the person
befriending you is a drug dealer-until he moves in and takes over. At
first, your new friend is just hanging out, then he starts to invite
friends over. Then one day, they just never leave and the threats begin.

The victims go about their business. They go to work. They come and
go, but the threats are so strong, they stay silent even though
sometimes they aren't even prisoners.

In one case, the kids still went to school. Eventually a teacher
sussed out what was happening in their home and the police were called.

Hard to believe. But it's a disturbing situation and appears to be on
the rise in Ottawa. Think about, there are more home takeovers in
Ottawa than there are murders.

If the pace continues in 2014, Ottawa Police will deal with more than
the 35 takeovers that happened in 2013 -nearly three a month.

The bad news is that police suspect the numbers is higher but the
victims are too scared to come forward.

Thursday night, the anti-gang unit DART arrested eight young men as
they dismantled a gang-related home takeover at a Baycrest Dr. highrise.

The apartment building sits in the heart of Herongate, an area that
has seen its fair share of shootings and gang activity.

The building is 350 metres from a community police
station.

On Friday, several residents of the building where the takeover
happened were reluctant to speak when approached by the Sun.

Some didn't even respond to questions, while others refused to open
their doors.

Those who did speak were scared - but not surprised. Drugs and gang
activity is common in their neighbourhoods. One neighbour had her
suspicions. She figured with all the traffic going in and out of the
apartment, there had to be a drug den, but she didn't want to get involved.

"I keep to myself," said the young mother, poking her head around a
heavy metal door. "I don't stick my nose into anything in this building."

"It was really bad, apparently," said another young woman, who heard
about the police take-down but didn't want to talk more.

Police seized two loaded handguns, additional ammo for the guns,
marijuana and crack cocaine.

The eight arrested face a combined 49 charges, including carrying a
concealed weapon, forcible confinement and possession of a firearm
obtained by crime. Few other details are available.

The building rental agency said it was unaware of any suspicious
activity, and meets regularly with community police officers .
Officials said they are working to enrol their area properties in the
crime-free multi-housing program.

Police also proactively patrol high-risk areas that could be more
vulnerable to such crime. They drop off cards, but it's one of those
crimes that is tough to solve if you don't know it's happening.

Police are hoping people in similar situations or who know of others
who are victims will come forward.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D