CRACK BUSINESS BRINGS FEAR TO CAMBRIDGE CORE

Fear and anger overflowed at a packed public meeting in Cambridge
last night, organized by residents who say they feel terrorized by
drug dealers in their downtown neighbourhood.

Some women broke into tears and others visibly shook as they
described being too scared to leave their Galt apartments for fear of
being hurt by addicts or crack sellers.

One woman said she has been threatened and chased down Main Street by
drug dealers because she's trying to force them out of her building.

As police and municipal politicians listened, residents in the crowd
of more than 100 took turns venting their frustration with a crack
problem they said threatens to take over the neighbourhood.

Many live in a new 60-unit mixed-income condo building across from
the former Royal Hotel on Main Street and said the continuous drug
selling is endangering their safety.

One man compared the traffic through the building with the lineup at
a Tim Hortons drive-thru window.

Staff Sgt. Rob Munro of Waterloo regional police said his officers
need the public's help gathering evidence against those blatantly
running drugs in the core.

"Venting will do you no good unless you channel that frustration into
good areas, like phoning the police," Munro said.

Police want descriptions of suspects, licence plate numbers and even
videotapes -- as long as residents don't risk their necks to get
them, said Const. Ray Mitton, a community liaison officer.

"I'm not asking you to chase crack dealers with a video camera,"
Mitton said.

Ben Tucci, the city councillor whose ward includes downtown Galt,
said a Neighbourhood Watch program may be needed.

Mark Meadows, the city's new manager of bylaw enforcement and a
former detective and undercover cop, said a new anti-nuisance bylaw
could give the city the power to push out some of the crack sellers.

Another man suggested the crowd walk back to the troubled condo
building en masse and stage a noisy protest outside to send a message
to the dealers.

Mayor Doug Craig said he had heard enough last night to convince him
the city needs to consider doing a "safety audit" of the downtown
core.

An audit would highlight areas where lighting and architecture could
be improved so people feel safe walking home at night, he said.

Many of those who spoke declined to give their names publicly, saying
they were afraid of retribution from the crack pushers they share
hallways with.

"There's a real fear factor at work here," said Scot Ferguson, a
condo resident who said his unit was recently broken into.

"People are afraid to speak out. This has to stop."

Representatives from the company that manages Ferguson's building,
Sherwood Park Management, said they will consider adding a security
guard and cameras and installing better door locks at 115 Main St.

They said they also need the help of tenants, willing to write
letters and testify at eviction tribunals, to kick out known drug
dealers.