CLEAR MESSAGE FOR LANDLORDS

The Ministry of the Attorney General, with the help of the
Chatham-Kent Police Service, sent a loud message last week - when a
building suffers from chronic criminal activity and its owner seems
like he or she could care less, the government could seize the building.

As a result, 51 Taylor Ave. is now in the hands of the Attorney
General's office.

Police say over a five-year period, they responded to more than 300
calls to the two-storey apartment building and executed 21 search
warrants on three apartments in the building.

The result: 49 arrests and 119 charges.

Under the Civil Remedies Act, the onus is on the property owner to
at least try to clean up criminal activity once he or she becomes
aware of it. This doesn't mean vigilante justice or putting one's
well-being on the line, but landlords can evict tenants and improve
building security to discourage criminal activity, while at the same
time helping make the building safer for the law-abiding residents.
It's not like everyone at 51 Taylor Ave. is a drug user or dealer.
But the building has been so rife with criminal activity - and
inactivity of the property owner - that the Attorney General, at the
urging of Chatham-Kent police, decided to act.

Neighbours are glad the ministry made its move. They hope the
building, described by the Chatham-Kent Police Chief as "an awful
place," can be cleaned up and be free of criminal activity.

Other owners of "drug houses" or apartment complexes rife with the
criminal element just hope the next building confiscated - and
police say they have their eyes set on at least one more property -
isn't theirs.

The best way to prevent that from occurring is for the landlords to
stop looking the other way and take action.