COMPLAINTS STEM FROM DRUG RAIDS

Residents tell of blown out windows and terrorized livestock as
reasons for filing complaints after joint RCMP-Canadian Forces operation

Two Texada Island residents have filed complaints against the RCMP
relating to a drug awareness program searching for outdoor marijuana
plants last week.

Jan Gabanek and Elaine Purgavie filed a complaint at the Texada RCMP
station following the RCMP and Canadian Forces operation that took
place August 16.

Gabanek said a Canadian Forces helicopter flew so close to his house
two windows were blown out. "The air blast from the helicopter blew
out one window in my work shed and glass shards were strewn all over
the floor," he said. "The other window came off its hinges and landed
in the grass."

The operation on Texada was part of a yearly round-up of marijuana
plants organized by the RCMP Drug Awareness Program. Two RCMP
helicopters and 30 municipal police officers supported by two Canadian
Forces Griffin helicopters based in Comox are participating in the
operation, which has targeted about 500 sites on the Sunshine Coast,
Vancouver Island and some of the Gulf Islands, including Texada Island.

While Texada residents have become accustomed to the annual search
mission, using the Canadian military helicopters this year raised the
ire of many residents. "Noise from the helicopters is the worst part,"
said Gabanek. "In past years they used smaller RCMP helicopters that
weren't so loud."

The police shouldn't have buzzed people's homes because it is
dangerous, Gabanek said, adding if they wanted to inspect areas around
houses, they should have landed and examined the spots on foot. "They
were clearly abusing their powers and going outside their limits."

Purgavie told The Peak her 72-year-old mother, who was visiting, went
out to the outhouse during the raid and a helicopter buzzed the
building while her mother was in it. A helicopter flew very close to
her house repeatedly. "They flew so low they were right on top of my
house," she said. "Someone in the helicopter was looking directly into
our window through binoculars. I guess they were thinking my mom was
going to hide some plants. Who knows what they were thinking?"

Purgavie raises 40 chickens, six goats and three horses on 53 acres.
She said her animals were so confused they didn't know where to go.
"The next day my chickens laid only a third of the number of eggs they
usually lay. The milk from my goats was down by two thirds."

After being angry during the raid, Purgavie said, the next day sadness
set in. "It just feels like I'm going through post-traumatic stress. I
feel betrayed. I want to like the police, not feel assaulted by them."

Gabanek said he hoped some standards would be established for the
program. "People on Texada would like some regulations about how they
conduct the searches."

Constable Beth Blackburn, the spokeswoman for the RCMP Drug Awareness
Program, said the local RCMP detachment on Texada Island is following
up on the concerns of residents. "I just want to ensure people if they
do have concerns or comments about the way we conduct our business, we
welcome them to bring those forward," she said. "Our whole goal when
we do projects like this is to hear concerns and to do our business
more effectively and more efficiently and in the least invasive way
that we can. We're always looking for comments and concerns and we
will investigate them."

Blackburn encouraged anyone with concerns to contact their local
detachment. "We will follow through."