KIDS SEE CRACK USE FROM CLASS

People smoking crack behind a daycare, in full view of the young
children. An endless flow of unsavoury characters in and out of a
rundown fourplex.

Other shady sorts stripping wire in the back of an empty derelict
house that no one seems to own. The mail is scattered, the trash is
piling up and transients use the lot as a toilet. This is the picture
of the north end of Vinewood Street, which has become a magnet for
drifters, debris and drug addicts, says Joe Yakmission, an area
resident and father of two children.

The house at 2185 Vinewood Street in particular is causing concerns
for local families, he said. He said city workers boarded it up a
couple months back but neighbours see activity there.

"They're stripping wire back there. The junkies are hanging around
behind the daycare and the kids can watch what's going on," Yakmission
said. "This used to be a nice quiet neighbourhood. Now we can't let
our kids outside to play," he said.

"This is consuming us, because we don't know what these idiots are
going to do."

Vinewood Street is in the heart of a family neighbourhood, evident by
the daycare at a corner nearby, Abbotsford Middle School, and Godson
Elementary.

Yakmission said several weeks ago police flushed out a four-plex
across from the empty house, but suspicious activities continue there.

"We could have up to 20 people go past here in a day. Young guys
around 17 and older come in with stuff and leave with stuff. It's
constant," he said.

Yakmission said he and his neighbours have complained since last year,
and they are desperate to get action from the City of Abbotsford.

"I called the bylaw office and I called the police. I talked to the
mayor and he'd said they'll look into it," but so far nothing has
happened, said a frustrated Yakmission.

But the Vinewood residents should be getting some relief soon. City
spokesman Jay Teichroeb said the bylaw department received a complaint
around May 23 regarding 2185 Vinewood and officers subsequently issued
a notice to the owner.

Manager of bylaws Gord Ferguson said enough time has passed for the
city to go ahead and clean it up themselves in the next week or so.
The bill will be sent to the owner.

"We have to be reasonable with the property owner, but also keep in
mind the concerns of the residents," Teichroeb said.

The Good Neighbour Bylaw is Abbotsford's enforcement tool for public
nuisances such as property maintenance.

People are required to keep their properties free of garbage and to
keep unused building in safe conditions.

If after a reasonable time the owner doesn't comply, the city can
clean up the property itself and charge the owner. If the owner
doesn't pay in 30 days, the city can sue the owner or add the charges
to the tax bill. There could also be an "excessive nuisance abatement
fee," if the city or police are called to a property more than three
times in one year, or more than once in a 24-hour period.