PINEGROVE NO LONGER 'CRIME-FREE'

Residents of a downtown Maple Ridge neighbourhood want a "crime-free"
sign immediately removed from a building they allege is the antithesis
of the label.

The Crime Free Multi-Housing board remains on the side of Pinegrove
Apartments, on 224th Street near St. Anne's, despite the complex not
meeting the program's requirements for 2009.

"That's signs got to come down," said Bill Turner, who manages the
Maple Inn across the street, which also participates in the crime-free
housing program.

Under the program, overseen by the Ridge Meadows RCMP, participating
apartment buildings must meet minimum security standards to keep
illegal activity off rental properties. They include installing dead
bolts and peep-holes in all suites doors, evicting nuisance tenants,
removing graffiti, keeping the area well-lit, as well as hosting an
annual safety social that is attended by a representative from the
police department.

The program has been successful at curbing drug and other illegal
activity at other apartment buildings in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows,
according to police.

But Turner's been dealing with drug dealers and sex trade workers who
he claims have been using Pinegrove as a base for the past month.

Early New Year's Day, two groups of people got into fight at the
Pinegrove. A weapon was pulled and one man was taken to Ridge Meadows
Hospital with minor injuries.

Turner said police officers told him to keep his tenants inside
because it was a "gun call."

Just before New Year's Eve, a man tried to break into one of Turner's
suite, but escaped into a Pinegrove apartment before police arrived.

Turner and others blame the eviction of tenants from the notorious
Northumberland Court apartments for a surge in crime in the
neighbourhood. They allege the boarding up of Northumberland suites by
the district, to meet safety standards, has led to an exodus of drug
dealers, their clients and prostitutes from Fraser Street, a block
east of 224th St. and Pinegrove

"I'm having a hard time renting my suites now," said Turner, who has
six units empty.

John McKenzie, who lives next door to the Pinegrove, also alleges the
tenants who were a blight on Northumberland remain his neighbours.

"The Pinegrove is the new ghetto," said McKenzie, whose building is
also part of the crime-free housing program.

"We really need to nip this in the butt. It can really get out of
control. The whole [crime-free] program is in disrepute because of the
Pinegrove."

Ridge Meadows RCMP expected a shift in crime as Northumberland Court
shut down and assure residents they have been monitoring it.

Supt. Dave Walsh confirmed that Pinegrove has not met crime-free
housing requirements for 2009.

"Our coordinator of the program is currently working with the
management of the Pinegrove on a number of issues and we're hoping to
be able to resolve these issues shortly," Walsh said.

RCMP also treat the downtown area near North Avenue, Fraser Street and
224th Street as a "hotspot" requiring an increased police presence.

Ridge Meadows RCMP have two officers dedicated to a downtown foot
patrol.

Walsh said the Street Enforcement Unit is continually in the area and
traffic services also dedicate time to patrol there.

"During the nightshifts, our general duty members make regular,
documented patrols, which will include foot patrols. Since we started
these hotspot patrols, we have seen a decrease in reported crimes in
the hotspots. We will continue with that initiative," he added.

Marcus Hoffert, who owns Pinegrove, said he is working with RCMP to
address the problems.

To learn more about Crime-Free Multi-Housing, visit www.bccpa.org .