NEIGHBOURS POINT FINGERS AT CRACK HOUSE LANDLORDS

The city and RCMP plan to crack down on crack house landlords.

More than 250 Rutland residents who packed a town hall meeting at
Kelowna Christian School Wednesday night focused many of their
complaints on absentee landlords who own crack houses on Hein Road or
in the area.

"We're working on a new bylaw to get rid of crack houses," RCMP Supt.
Bill McKinnon told the meeting. "We need a bylaw similar to what
Vernon has to deal with crack houses. We can only deal with the laws
and legislation that are in place and, unfortunately, right now, we
don't have anything."

The Vernon bylaw allows officials to deem a crack house uninhabitable
and board it up.

Mayor Sharon Shepherd said there is no provincial legislation to shut
down the houses, so it is up to the city to deal with them. She said
city staff and RCMP will come up with the new bylaw soon.

Said one resident: "The landlords know what's going on, and they don't
do anything about it. It's about the money. If they (landlords) get
the money, they aren't going to evict you."

Tina Blackburn said five months ago she moved in next door to where
recent drug busts have been taking place, even though her family
warned her to stay away from Hein Road.

"I was assured that the city had this area targeted and was cleaning
it," she said. "I took a chance. But the (drug) activity has totally
worn me down. I've spoken to the owner. They are aware that drugs are
being seized, weapons are being seized, and they do nothing. So if
anybody would like to buy a nice townhouse, mine is for sale."

RCMP called the meeting after residents complained about a perceived
lack of response by police to the growing drug problem in the
neighbourhood. Police have since conducted two raids on Hein Road.

A total of 20 people were arrested during the two raids June 19 and
21. Drugs, weapons, cash and stolen property were seized.