'GET RID OF DRUGS AND HOOKERS'

More than 100 residents living in and around 56 Avenue, 55A Avenue, Michaud
Crescent and 201A Street are saying " enough" to drug dealing, drug users
and prostitution in their neighbourhood.

A petition with 146 signatures was sent to Langley RCMP and City council
this week, asking that "these serious security issues . . .can receive the
attention and action that will resolve these important anti-social and
dangerous elements that are prevalent."

The petition asks Langley RCMP to do daily bike patrol at Linwood Park, a
site that some residents say has been taken over by drug addicts and dealers.

"Just the other day I was walking near the Park Place (apartments) and I
see this big guy carrying a wing chair. I was going to comment on the joys
of moving when I realized I recognized that chair," said Lily, who signed
the petition. "He was taking the chair from the Park Place lobby in broad
daylight."

Lily, who didn't want her last name used, has lived at her apartment on 56
Avenue for 11 years. She's noticed the recent rise in drug activity and
everything that follows with it.

"There are at least 10 regulars that come and go all hours," she said.
"Almost every apartment in this area has someone living in the bushes."

Lily isn't the only one who has seen changes for the worse this year.

One employee of an eatery near 201A Street and 56 Avenue said prostitution
was unheard of two years ago in Langley. Now it's abundant.

"The branches of the big tree (south on 201A Street, just past 56) had to
be chopped away because a prostitute was always underneath it. Guys were
going back and forth from that tree all day," she said.

Mark's Work Wearhouse's Gayle Cole said drug addicts come into the store to
"tweak out in the mirrors."

"It's getting worse," she said. "I can't ever leave clothing racks outside
anymore."

Another employee at a food establishment along 56 Avenue said she is
regularly having to tell addicts that they can't use the bathroom to cook
or shoot drugs.

"There was cocaine on the toilet seat. We've cleaned up crack pipes from
the back. We have a file with the police about all the prostitution," she said.

Jasbir Singh, owner of the Stop N' Shop convenience store, located on the
corner of 56 and 201A, has had his store broken into and vandalized, as
well as his car.

"Drugs are everywhere. Nobody is scared (about getting caught.) What can
you do? The police come . . . what can they do?" said Singh.

Police say they are doing as much as they can.

"We are very aware of the issues that have been pointed out. We frequent
the area a lot. I don't know if having additional resources is the key more
than properly allocating the resources we have," said Langley RCMP
spokesperson Dale Carr. "Linwood Park has been a priority for some time."

But still residents and business owners are calling for more police
presence. But the bike patrol ends in October and Langley RCMP have said
again and again there is no money for a foot patrol.

At the Monday night council meeting where the petition was discussed, Mayor
Marlene Grinnell blamed the justice system for the Linwood park problems.

"Penalties are not stiff enough. There is a great frustration for citizens.
There is not enough teeth in the laws today to disable these kinds of
people," Grinnell said.

City manager Cliff Gittens told council that he had already put in a
request with Telus to remove the phone booth on 56 Ave., just west of 203
St. It's a telephone used for drug deals.

"I took a walk on 56 Ave. and the phone booth is frequented by drug people
with bikes, delivering. I'm glad to see several hundred people have noticed
it as well," said Councillor Terry Smith.

Carr encourages residents to continue to be the eyes and ears for police.

"The fact that they have banded together for a common cause with this
petition is the epitome of Block Watch, which is great," he said.