DRUG ACTIVITY RESULTS IN BLOODY BATTLE OUTSIDE COMPLEX

Residents at one Vernon housing complex have initiated their own war
on drugs.

Vernon RCMP report two men ended up in hospital after a violent
confrontation between residents of the complex at 1809 32nd Street and
suspected drug dealers Tuesday night.

A 32-year-old male resident of the complex needed stitches to his
wrist and treatment for deep lacerations to the back of his neck after
being struck with a ceremonial axe, while a 29-year-old Vernon male
remains in hospital after being struck in the head with a ball-peen
hammer.

"They were still fighting inside the hospital when police arrived,"
said Cpl. Henry Proce with the Vernon RCMP.

Proce confirmed the 29-year-old is known to police and has a history
of drug offences.

He said neither man has been co-operative with police, and are not
willing to press charges.

Residents of the complex said problems have been escalating as
suspected drug dealers continue to knock out boards from their fence
in order to cut through the property to make deliveries.

One resident, who didn't want to be identified, said he and the
32-year-old confronted one of the alleged drug dealers coming through
the fence and told him to leave the area.

"The guy came back and brought three of his friends," said the
resident, adding "they didn't come to be gentle with an axe."

He said the two residents fought the four off in the parking area of
the complex, where trails of blood trace the path of the
altercation.

Another resident of the complex said the alleged drug dealers cut
through the fence to make deliveries to a couple of the 15 units in
the complex.

"This is our home. We live here. You've got to chase them out of here,
you have to get rid of them. And the only way to get rid of druggies
is to stand up to them."

The resident involved in the altercation is hoping the incident will
curb drug activities around the complex, but isn't overly optimistic.
"If they come back, we'll run 'em off again."

But Proce said police do not condone this type of vigilante
justice.

"The victim should have informed police of what was occurring in and
around his property and allowed an investigation to take place," he
said.

"This level of violence with weapons could easily have resulted in the
death of any of the parties involved."

Proce could not say if the drug activity is related to the home across
the street from the complex which was boarded up as a result of the
city's new drug house bylaw.

"There's no denying there is a drug problem in Vernon. Whether it's
spreading as a result of closing down two crack houses, I'd just be
speculating."