FED UP WITH CRACK HOUSES

Fed up with suspected drug dealers and brazen daylight thefts, one
Chilliwack neighbourhood is considering picketing suspected drug dens if
the area's crime rate doesn't fall soon.

The bulk of the problem seems to stem from two or three 'crack houses'
claims a man who lives on Victoria Avenue, near Robson Street. The man
doesn't want his name published because he fears retribution from "people
who seem to have nothing to lose."

He has watched as tools and chain saws were stolen from a neighbour's back
yard. He also witnessed a high level of foot and bicycle traffic coming
from one or two homes, but calls to police and the owners of the rented
properties doesn't seem to be helping.

"The people who are going to the crack houses are shopping right in our
neighbourhood. They're stealing in broad daylight," he said.

Consequently, signs have been posted around the neighbourhood letting
criminals know their activities are monitored. The signs say, 'If you come
to our neighbourhood to steal, we will be watching. We will call the police.'

"We as a neighbourhood are terrified. I'm afraid to leave my house quite
frankly. I'm trying to stop people from being vigilantes but at the same
time we're trying to get a block watch going."

The anonymous neighbour has registered complaints with police, but he fears
authorities are focusing their attention on marijuana grow-ops instead of
crack dens where heavier drugs are used and traded.

"Some people want to picket these houses but we're concerned for our safety."

As break-ins become more common, a physical confrontation is becoming more
imminent.

"My concern is some harm is going to come to one of the neighbours, maybe a
senior or one of the children."

Const. Donna Collins said neighbours are doing the right thing by keeping
an eye on any suspicious activity.

"The more information we have the easier its going to be for us to do our
job," she said.

"If they're standing at the window and concerned with what they're seeing
they could just as easily be standing there with a phone and telling us
what's going on.

"If a person is able to see licence plates it helps us keep track of who's
coming and going."