NEIGHBOURS CHEER CRACK HOUSE CLOSURE

The purchase of an alleged crack house on Lobban Road located near an
Abbotsford elementary school has brought relief to concerned
residents and parents.

The house near Alexander Elementary School was bought last week and,
since then, nearby resident Ken Flanders said there had been no sign
of drug activity in the area.

Flanders, a member of the school's Parent Advisory Committee, said
the situation started about two years ago.

"Anytime you would look out, you would see vehicles in front of the
house," he said.

The place was frequented by prostitutes, and used needles were
scattered around the property and into an area near the school.
Because of the situation, Flanders said his 10-year-old daughter, who
attends the schools, could not do everyday normal things.

"You want someone watching, because of that added element outside the
norm," said Flanders.

Late last year, the residents organized a community meeting with
police, school officials and other entities to try and find a
solution to the problem.

Flanders said the situation had become so bad, he and other
neighbours were considering moving house.

However, now that the property has changed hands, Flanders is staying put.

"The drug community has moved on somewhere else," he said. "I think
people will begin to enjoy their community again."

School District Superintendent, Des McKay said the news was a "great relief."

"Anything that puts the safety of the children at risk is of great
concern to the district," he said.

Another resident of Lobban Road, who preferred not to be named, said
he was relieved the "riff raff" had moved on. He said he had spent
several sleepless nights worried about what could happen to his
property, when he was at work or away on holiday.

"It's one step in the right direction in getting the city back in the
right direction," he said.

"We're finally getting our city back."

The man was also critical of the police for not resolving the
situation earlier, especially when the matter had been cleared up in
a matter of days after it had been purchased.

However, Abbotsford Deputy Police chief, Rick Lucy told the
Abbotsford News, "We respect that this can be very frustrating for
people living in the community on a daily basis."

Lucy said the police were aware of "apparent drug use and prostitute
activity" around the Lobban Road property and had attended the house
several times.

"We do our best to get a sense of what the problems are and work
towards solving them. We have to do things legally and ethically,"
Lucy said. "It takes time."