LOCAL BYLAWS COULD HELP DEAL WITH DRUG HOUSES

Dana Arthurs may not get the results she wants from the criminal justice
system in dealing with a drug house in her Youbou neighbourhood, but she
might get results through local bylaws.

A meeting of about 65 people Sunday afternoon in the Youbou Hall was told
by the RCMP that a bylaw in effect in some Lower Mainland cities might help
in Youbou and other Cowichan Lake communities.

Cpl. Brian Brown said he hasn't seen the details of the bylaw yet, but if
endorsed by the Cowichan Valley Regional District or the Town of Lake
Cowichan it could provide authority for agencies such as the fire
department, a health inspector or even BC Hydro to get involved.

"They (drug dealers) come to small communities because there is less
policing," said Brown. "But one thing they don't count on is a community
banding together. We have to take it to another level locally, not
provincially, not federally."

He said the proposed bylaw would allow the fire department, for example, to
tip the police off. If police can't get a warrant, then perhaps BC Hydro
can cut them off or they can be evicted because of health safety violations.

"The bylaw may be the light at the end of my tunnel," said Arthurs, who,
frustrated by what she called a lack of action, went public last week about
what she believes is a drug house in her neighbourhood.

Arthurs said a local bylaw would be great, but added that something also
has to be done about the laws that allow such houses to thrive in
neighbourhoods all over B.C.

"I'm frustrated, we're all frustrated," she said. "We want these crack
houses out of here. The frustrating thing for me began in my own
neighbourhood and it's a shame it gets to that."

She said she's concerned about the safety of her children and all children.
"It's about being afraid to plant a garden in my yard and about my
neighbours, who have lived her for 40 years, being worried."

Arthurs said she is also concerned about people in the community, including
her spouse, taking matters into their own hands and getting themselves into
trouble.

Youbou residents are looking at posting signs around town that read, "Drug
Dealers Not Welcome In Youbou." They have even talked about picketing in
front of the house in question.

"If we make up signs and stand in front of the house -- what about that?"
asked resident Bob Cannon.

Brown said that's something to consider, but cautioned against going too
far. "I don't have a problem with the signs, but you shouldn't trespass or
try to block people."

Doug Routley, local MLA, said it's more a lack of police resources than
anything that makes it difficult to stop drug houses.

"I think we see big city problems being exported to small communities, but
we don't see the resources following," he said. "What we need to support
are the police. We have to respect the boundaries of their investigations.
The police wont' be able to speak very directly to this particular house
and that frustrates people."

Cannon wondered why ICBC can get extra police to put up speed traps, but
communities can't get extra police to investigate a drug house.

Brown said it would be great to have the resources, but noted that in
ICBC's case the extra police are paid for privately.

"How much money do we need to raise to get your services?" asked Maxine
McKeown.

Brooke Hodson, CVRD director for Youbou-Meade Creek, said there probably is
the money to do it for a few weeks, but suggested it's probably not enough
and requires a longer term solution.

One resident said it's not a policing issue, it's a low life issue and a
community issue. "We have to make damn sure the homeowner is responsible,"
he said.

He also suggested writing down vehicle licence plate numbers of anyone who
visits the house in question. "If they feel they're under surveillance,
they won't be so blatant," said Lucille Smith.

A Meade Creek resident said there's a similar problem in his neighbourhood.
"We've been working on this for months," he said. "I even have a hit on me.
We have to picket these places."