ENDERBY COUNCIL ADOPTS 'CRACK SHACK' BYLAW

Enderby council adopted a bylaw that will help RCMP hold homeowners
responsible for drug activity on their property.

"This is a tool for the RCMP to gain access to drug houses," said
Enderby Mayor Sue Phillips.

"They now have a leg to stand on when they feel negative activities
are taking place in the area, specifically drug-related offenses."

Property Remediation Bylaw No. 1401 was passed unanimously during the
council meeting on Monday.

The bylaw states: "The use of any property as a controlled substance
property is hereby deemed to constitute the carrying on of a noxious
or offensive trade, business or manufacture, and no person, owner, or
occupant of property shall cause, permit, or allow any property to
become or remain a place for the trade, business, or manufacture of a
controlled substance."

The bylaw gives authorities the right to cut off the supply of
electricity, water or natural gas to a property until all elements of
the course of action recommended by the certified professional to
eliminate such hazardous situations are taken.

If a resident is found in violation of the bylaw they will be
required to pay the service costs incurred by or on behalf of the
RCMP in the disassembly, removal, transportation, storage, and
disposal of equipment, substance, materials, and other paraphernalia
associated with such trade, business, or manufacture.

Phillips said that a recent bust prompted the speedy implementation
of the bylaw.

"If this had been in place, it may have helped them get on the
situation sooner," she said.

On June 8, RCMP officers executed a search of a residential suite in
the 1100 block of George Street under the Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act and arrested two individuals on drug-related charges
for the possession of cocaine and magic mushrooms.

"This bylaw puts more onus on the property owner to be responsible
for what is going on in their home," said Phillips.

"Anything that makes the RCMP's job easier, I am totally in support of."