CRACK SHACK LAWS TO BE FOLLOWED

The City of Vernon will enforce existing regulations to tackle
so-called crack shacks.

Council has been told by staff that all of the actions being sought by
the East Hill Blockwatch group are already in place to handle
properties that are believed to be involved in the drug trade.

"They will use the existing bylaw to impose penalties," said Coun. Bob
Spiers of bylaw enforcement.

The East Hill Blockwatch recently asked the city to send RCMP officers
for crack shack training and to have the city investigate initiatives
in Surrey. It also wants the nuisance abatement fee applied to greater
effect.

Leon Gous, chief administrative officers, says all of those actions
have been taken.

Under the nuisance abatement fee, properties that have frequent visits
from bylaw enforcement, the RCMP or the fire department are targeted.

"If staff are going to one place regularly, they can impose a fee and
hopefully the property owner will get the tenant to clean up their act
or the property owner will clean up their act," said Spiers.

The city's old controlled substance and remedial action bylaw was
repealed in 2009 and replaced by the safe premises bylaw. The changes
occurred because of a concern that a property owner could challenge
the right to be denied access to his own home.

Previously, the city could prevent a home from being occupied if
illegal drugs were cultivated inside. It would have to be brought up
to building code.

According to Gous, the old bylaw's wording went too far
legally.

"We don't have the right to override federal law," he said, adding
that the city's legal abilities don't always meet public demands.

"What people want is outside our bounds to do. We cannot exceed
anyone's rights with search warrants."

Through the nuisance abatement fee, a property owner can be ticketed
$100 for RCMP visits and $75 for bylaw enforcement officers showing up
on site.

Spiers believes there is a need to review the fee structure and
increase them.

"They may be a deterrent," he said.