YOU GOT SERVED

Tenants Forced To Vacate Apartment After Complaints Of Illegal Drug Activity

AMHERST - Cumberland County has seen some of its first action under
the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act.

The leaseholder of an apartment in a house on Charles Street has been
told to vacate the premises after residents in the community
complained about illegal drug activities.

Cumberland Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit Const. Tim Hunter
said an investigation has been ongoing with the unit, the Criminal
Intelligence Service Nova Scotia and Department of Justice Public
Safety for the past five months into the activities at 8 1/2 Charles Street.

"The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods have completed an
investigation and have the authority to post the property and give
the tenants a notice to vacate," Hunter said.

Tenants of the apartment now have to find a new place to live.

Under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, a person can
submit a complaint about a residence if they believe that "his or her
community or neighbourhood is being adversely affected by activities
on or near a property in the community or neighbourhood; and the
activities indicate that the property is being habitually used for a
specified use."

According to the act, the complaint must be made in an acceptable
form and manner, including the information the director requires.
Once a complaint has been filed, the director can take a number of
paths such as investigating the complaint, requiring further
information from the complainant, sending a warning letter to the
owner or occupant, attempt to resolve the complaint by agreement or
informal action, apply for a community safety order or not take any
action at all.

The director also has the authority to enter the property without the
consent of the owner or occupant to close it and keep it closed under an order.

Hunter said the street crime unit had also executed a search warrant
at the residence on Jan. 6 and two adults are facing charges under
the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

"There have been several complaints made by the public about drug
activity, which is why the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods came
involved," he added.

The couple is facing charges of possession of cannabis resin,
possession of cannabis marijuana and trafficking marijuana.

The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act was instituted in the
province in 2007. Last month, the province hit a milestone with 500
complaints having been investigated.

Illegal activity has been shut down in Halifax, Cape Breton and the
Annapolis Valley in the past year under the Act.

For more information on the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act,
visit www.gov.ns.ca .