REPORT-A-DRUG-HOUSE PROGRAM GOING STRONG

There are some big shoes to be filled by Const. Nathan Ashley, both
literally and figuratively, as Const. Tony Walker - partner in the
Report-A-Drug-House-program - has moved on to Edmonton, but he has
maintained the program's success.

He jokes, saying he has to rely on his bulletproof vest a little more
often, rather than just standing behind the towering officer that is
Walker.

But, more heavily armoured or not, there remains the work to be done.
Since its launch in May, 2007, Ashley estimates the receipt of more
than 300 complaints from the community about potential drug houses in
their neighbourhoods. Those 300-plus complaints have led to 77 actual
drug houses being shut down at Ashley's last count in December.

Ashley says less than half the houses reported will end up being drug
houses, but he will enter each investigation with a serious outlook.

"When you start an investigation, you don't really know where it's
going to lead you, whether it's an active drug house or some are just
party houses .. then you have houses that are sort of like flop
houses, where people come to do drugs, but they won't actually sell
drugs out of there," said Ashley.

"After a few visits, you can sort of get a feel for the activity
that's going on there."

The concept of the program is one adopted in part from the Edmonton
Police Services. After a presentation in Grande Prairie by Sgt.
Maurice Brodeur of the EPS, Ashley says Crime Prevention and the RCMP
in Grande Prairie realized how it could be used here.

The local Report-A-Drug-House program is basically a tweaked version
of the original, based on the needs of this community.

It began when Walker, and Ashley joined the operation in July, 2007,
based on that need.

"Wherever there's a community with money, not only to good people come
to work but, of course, there's also that criminal element that will
seep in there ... there's going to be stuff like drugs and crime. Two
and a half years ago - before this program started - there were a few
houses popping up that were certainly problem residences," said Ashley.

"The fortified houses - we haven't seen them in about a year now ...
(but) on top of that, there are drug houses everywhere, and so the
Report-A-Drug-House program is great in getting everyone involved,
thinking of unique ways to get rid of the problem."

Ashley says that ultimately, when that type of house is in a
community, the community is aware of it and wants it gone, and they
can be a part of the solution.

"It's not one person that sees it ... usually if a person's thinking
'well, this house up the street, there's just something suspicious
going on about it,' there are other people thinking the same thing.
It's all just a big puzzle, and if I get everyone's little piece in
it, it helps me put it together a little bit faster," said Ashley.

The signs are always there to be seen, according to Ashley,
particularly people coming and going, 24 hours a day, for visits not
lasting longer than minutes.

It is hard to hide that kind of traffic, says Ashley, and he often
uses that traffic to rattle the business going on inside.

"When you know it's a drug house and you see someone coming up to it,
you know you're doing your job when you go up to meet them before they
get to the door and you see the facial expression change," said Ashley.

"That's part of the idea, right? I want to be visible - I want them to
see me. A lot of times, if it's a very active drug house drug dealers
don't want the heat there all the time and that's what I'm supplying."

It is a lot for one officer to supply, however, as Ashley was brought
in to offer Walker some relief in that regard to begin with. Ashley
said more resources are good, and he is expecting some backup soon.

"An individual has been picked. It's just a matter of him getting up
here," said Ashley.

The Report-A-Drug-House program can be contacted by calling
780-830-7444. Callers can remain anonymous if they choose.