PROBLEMS WITH DRUG HOUSE STILL EXIST DESPITE BUST

Laws are making it more challenging for RCMP to do their jobs,
especially when it comes to the crack down on drugs.

Castlegar RCMP staff sergeant Dave Fayle said they must be able to
prove there is evidence before they're able to get a search warrant.

"There are great burdens and there must be proof of evidence in the
house," S/Sgt. Fayle said. "This isn't always easy. Current case law
isn't helpful."

According to S/Sgt. Fayle, past techniques they used that got them
quicker results are being interfered with by courts. The reason is
that parties have convinced the courts that certain situations are an
infringement of rights.

"You must establish evidence to get warrants," S/Sgt. Fayle said.

Public assistance and a search warrant helped the police initiate a
bust on the 600 block of 7th Avenue in Castlegar that resulted in
charges being filed against a 45-year-old woman. While the bust has
slowed down traffic, it's business as usual.

"It's still on-going all night," said one resident. "We would like to
see them all in jail and the house burned down."

For another family, residents of the house have made their life difficult.

"It's been hell for over two years," they said. "It's frustrating
when RCMP say that they can't go in without a search warrant."

Blame is also placed on the landlord who residents claim doesn't care
who rents the house as long as they get money. Harassment and bad
language have also become issues.

"My biggest concern is it's near the school," the resident said. "It
shouldn't exist so close. I wonder if teens are going there."

Another resident feels that quicker action needs to be taken and that
the city should do more.

"Action would be taken if it was closer to a councilor's house," the
person said.

"I would like to do more for people who are victims," S/Sgt. Fayle
said. "A lot of power has been take away because of case law. It
creates additional challenges to get necessary evidence."

For Fayle and his staff it's a frustrating problem because they don't
want activity happening in the community and it's added to when they
deal with repeat offenders because the process must start from scratch.

In the past police could look for behaviours that signaled drug
activity, that isn't enough. When it comes to dealing with impaired
drivers, what used to take one hour now takes three.

"Somewhere along the line, someone has lost sight of purpose for a
search warrant," he said. "Now you have to prove the offense before
getting a warrant."

Plus the amount of information needed to provide for certain cases is huge.

"People have an expectation and we're not always able to meet them,"
S/Sgt. Fayle explained. "We don't have the power people believe we do."