DRUG HOUSES THROUGHOUT CITY, COMMUNITY GROUP LEADER CLAIMS

Ben Ordman Says Crack Houses Are Plentiful: He May Run For City Council.

Red Deer has at least nine "crack houses" that peddle drugs to the
public - and likely a lot more, says the president of the local
Neighbourhood Watch.

"These aren't just in rundown sections of town," said Ben Ordman, who
noted that three to four of these drug dealers' homes are in Waskasoo,
within blocks of three schools - River Glen, Lindsay Thurber and
Camille J. Lerouge.

Ordman would not reveal who told him about the drug dens, but insisted
he heard this information from people "who are strongly aware of the
culture."

Red Deer RCMP Const. Ralph Cervi confirmed that Red Deer has "a number
of drug houses . . . and our members are working on them, but whether
it's nine or more or less than nine, I can't say."

Two alleged crack houses were vacated in Clearview earlier this winter
after neighbours and police turned the pressure up.

Cervi stressed Red Deer's problems aren't unique. "There isn't a
community in Canada that are not having problems with crystal meth,
cocaine, heroin and marijuana."

But Ordman believes the scope of Red Deer's problem will shock many
residents.

It's common knowledge among drug experts that Red Deer - because of
its proximity to major centres and higher income levels - has a highly
organized and developed trade in a wide variety of illicit substances,
he said.

"This is not the city I grew up in," added Ordman, who believes it's
time for Red Deer citizens to "wake up" and realize that a large
problem exists.

The city realtor, who also sits on the policing committee, stressed
that city RCMP are doing a "fantastic" job with the resources they
have - but he insists that more financial support for policing is
needed from the municipality.

With residents going to the polls in October, Ordman wants to make a
local war against drugs an election issue. And he's thinking about
taking a personal stand by running as a candidate for city council.

"It's something I'm considering."

Among his many ideas on fighting the drug trade is beefing up the
bylaw officer's job. He suggests that these city employees should
watch for various violations on residential streets.

These would include spotting illegal parking, crowding - such as when
a two-bedroom cracks house has a pile of occupants, or noise
violations from constant traffic at all hours.

"There are creative mechanisms that can be used to make it very
difficult for these houses to operate."

Most importantly, Ordman believes that the RCMP needs more municipal
money for staff and resources.

While city residents were just hit with a double digit tax increase,
he said there's also a societal cost to crime, including higher
medical bills, prison bills and lost income.

Cervi said he doesn't want to argue against Ordman's call for more
policing resources. But he said it's important to remember that the
city increased RCMP staffing by eight officers each in 2003 and 2004.

"Obviously the city is working closely with us and is on
board."

Policing committee chair Phil Hyde believes the new officers will help
with the city's drug problem - so will hiring special constables to
help with traffic, allowing police to concentrate on crime.

But is it enough?

"My personal opinion is that we could do more," said Hyde, who would
like to see as many as 25 extra officers on Red Deer's police force.