DRUG BYLAW CLOSES SECOND HOME

Police have cracked down on a second suspected drug house in Vernon's
Mission Hill.

Vernon RCMP raided a home at XXXXX 32nd Street Friday night, arresting 10
people found inside and seizing cocaine, cash and drug paraphernalia.

Police returned to the home Saturday along with municipal bylaw officers,
who posted the residence under the new bylaw targeting drug houses.

"Under the bylaw, no persons are permitted to enter the residence or reside
there until it has been brought up to building code standards by the
owner," said Cpl. Henry Proce with the Vernon RCMP.

The home is only a few steps down 18th Avenue from the home off 34th Street
that became the first Vernon residence posted under the new bylaw last week.

Proce said several of the people found inside the home were probably the
same ones who had frequented the residence off 34th Street before it was
boarded up last week. Those people will now likely move on to another home
in the city.

"That's a problem that could be reasonably anticipated. However, we will
continue to hound them - continue to make arrests and lay charges."

He said police conducted surveillance on the 32nd Street home for several
days, determining the residence was being used for the sale and use of
drugs, before obtaining a search warrant.

"To get a search warrant in 2005 is not an easy thing so you have to have
your ducks in line," said Proce.

He said the bylaw officers noted several defects to the residence, while
Vernon's fire chief deemed the home to be a fire hazard. Several animals
were also found inside the home and turned over to SPCA.

Under the bylaw, the homeowner must now hire a firm to conduct an occupancy
inspection, at a cost of $500, to determine any defects. The owner must
then pay to correct any deficiencies found in the inspection as well as any
additional costs assessed by utility companies before the home is allowed
to be occupied.

Those found entering the home after it has been posted can face a fine of
up to $5,000.

Proce said the effect of the bylaw is owners of drug houses will be hit
with several thousands of dollars in costs.

Proce wouldn't say if police are lining up a third home to target under the
new bylaw, but said Vernon is home to several crack houses and the bylaw is
actually aimed at targeting marijuana grow operations.

"I can tell you if we find a grow operation in a house within the City of
Vernon, it will be posted and it will be boarded up because grow operations
are extremely hazardous."