DOWNTOWN GETTING BETTER, OWNERS SAY

Drugs, prostitution and homelessness still flourish in Abbotsford's
downtown core, but local business owners say things have improved
dramatically since the implementation of a downtown police beat team in
February 2002.

Abbotsford Downtown Business Association executive director Ingrid Epp said
the consensus among downtown owners is that the police presence "has made a
tremendous difference to everybody."

"From what I see they are truly making an impact," said Epp. "It's been
excellent."

Constables Sheldon Moore and Ian Parks are the current two-man beat team.
They spend the majority of their 10-hour work days walking the streets.
That includes keeping tabs on the downtown drug and sex trades as well as
networking with nearby businesses.

George Gasparro, owner of Dogwood Bowling and Billiards on South Fraser
Way, said the constant communication has been effective in curtailing crime.

"Working with them has been . . . nice," he said. "[There's been] a
significant change in the problems we've experienced. It's gone from
frequent to almost nothing. Those undesirables are gone now."

John Parker, owner of the National Training Centre on Essendene Avenue and
Montrose Avenue, said things have improved since the closure of the former
Luxor Nite Club and the implementation of the beat team.

"It's made a huge difference," he said.

"It's like what we teach here [at the training centre], if you have poor
presence, you're going to be a victim," he said. "Their presence in the
core is something . . . people recognize."

Abbotsford police Insp. John Davidson said the police department has heard
the encouraging words and is planning to expand the beat team to four
members in June and possibly six at a later date.

"We've received some pretty positive feedback from the folks and residents
in the area and the peripheral vicinities," he said. "Generally speaking,
yeah, it's one of those areas where you've got to have constant pressure
and constant presence, otherwise if the police leave the folks will come
back. That's one issue we're struggling with is maintaining our presence."

Moore and Parks say the encouragement is nice to hear.

"It does [feel good]," said Moore, before quickly adding, "we're not done
yet. There's still a lot of work to be done."