ENDERBY FIGHTS CRIME

Meeting: Residents Alarmed By Drug Dealing.

Tired of drugs, drug dealers and sex trade workers taking over the
streets of their community, Enderby residents vow to take their city back.

An overflow crowd of more than 250 people packed into the Enderby
Evangelical Chapel last week in a town hall meeting to voice their
concerns to Mayor Sue Phillips, council and new Enderby RCMP
detachment commander-in-charge, Cpl. Kim Moore.

"We won't come up with any solid solutions tonight, and we're not
here to lay blame, point fingers or call people names," said
moderator Maureen Walker. "We are a civilized community. Let's not
act like what we're trying to cure."

The objective of the evening was to come up with ideas and pro-active
solutions to help solve a rampant and growing drug problem in the
community. Microphones were set up in the crowd, and close to 30
people shared their opinions and stories during the two-hour meeting,
with some 10 others writing out questions and suggestions for Walker
to share with the audience.

Susan Kendall, newly arrived from Alberta, read a note from A.L.
Fortune Secondary School principal Abbas El Gazzar, who recommended
there be more RCMP officers assigned to Enderby, and that a liaison
officer be assigned to the school, which brought a raucous cheer.
Cpl. Moore confirmed that liaison officers have been assigned to all
schools in Enderby.

Splats'in First Nations Coun. Agnes Felix said cities like Kelowna,
Kamloops and Vancouver are chasing out drug dealers and addicts who
end up in Enderby because of cheaper housing.

"We are willing to share our resources to help clean this (drug use)
out of both of our communities," said Felix, drawing a large round of applause.

A single-parent mother, holding back tears, described how her
daughter - "her best friend" - had moved to Surrey because "it's a
safer place to live."

An unidentified man called the dealers and prostitutes "resident evil."

"This (meeting) can't end here," said the man. "We have to be
vigilant. Give police the information they need. Don't fear these
people. Don't be afraid of retaliation."

Armstrong Mayor Jerry Oglow, who told his "neighbours" from Enderby
that his community is sharing the same problems, wants to see changes
to the judicial system.

"We need federal and provincial representation invited to the table,"
said Oglow, in reference to a special task force being set up in
Enderby to deal with the situation. "And don't forget us in
Armstrong. We won't abandon you, don't abandon us."

The task force, which will include Mayor Phillips, councillors and
volunteers from the community, will hold its first meeting Oct. 2.
Members of the crowd, however, wanted the meeting held before that
date. Phillips explained that it couldn't be held earlier because of
conflicting schedules. Most of Enderby council is attending the Union
of B.C. Municipalities convention this week.

Phillips, who plans to meet with MLA George Abbott to discuss the
town hall meeting and the fall-out, was very impressed with the turnout.

"This is a powerful group that cares about Enderby and Area F."