CITY IS 'SAFE' DESPITE CRIMES, SAYS COALITION

Drug turf wars, revenge killings and pimps enticing naive 13-year-old girls
with drugs and ultimately into prostitution - those are some of the slimier
activities rising from the criminal undercurrent in Abbotsford.

The Coalition for Drug and Crime Prevention, however, noted the City of
Abbotsford is basically "safe" and has shown leadership and made progress
against crime during the past year.

A number of residents raised their concerns during a public forum Tuesday
night at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium.

Abbotsford resident Peter Reid said the recent murders in the city are the
result of revenge killings associated with drug turf wars between Asian and
Punjabi gangs and biker gangs.

One father, with two young sons, said he was appalled that teenagers from a
neighbouring high school are regularly going to a drug house on his
(middle-class) street in Abbotsford to do drug deals at lunch time. There
are also elementary schools nearby and he said he wants the criminal
activity stopped.

Abbotsford Police are investigating.

Another man said he was concerned that stepping up police arrests in
historic downtown Abbotsford drove prostitutes and drug dealers to do their
dirty work on Clearbrook Road and ruined the family-oriented Grant Park.

Despite the criminal problems, Abbotsford Mayor Mary Reeves said residents
are showing more "hope" than "despair" than they did during a crime forum
last year.

"Is there organized crime in Abbotsford? Yes," said Reeves.

"Is it out of hand? No," she told the Abbotsford News, adding that police
are handling the problem appropriately.

The recent murder investigation was discussed at a (closed) police board
meeting on Tuesday that lasted more than four hours, she said.

Reeves believes in a multi-level "get tough" approach against crime, drugs
and prostitution in the city, which includes more police enforcement,
tougher city property bylaws and progressive council decisions to encourage
bridge houses in residential areas, with strict regulations, to give addicts
the best chance for recovery.

She said the criminal problems at Grant Park have been addressed, thanks to
the citizen's patrol, more police enforcement, a new gate and added lighting
to dark areas.

While people may be concerned about "displacement" when police crack down on
criminal activity in downtown, Reeves said "doing nothing is not an option."

School board trustee Uultsje de Jong said the school board is considering
placing a "drug free zone" for two blocks around every school in Abbotsford,
meaning that anyone caught trafficking in these zones will automatically be
referred to Crown counsel to receive three times the regular fine or time of
incarceration.

Lucie Honey-Ray noted that the coalition, which is comprised of about 80
people, is working hard on developing a healthy "social conscience" in
Abbotsford and to address the roots of crime.

Toireasa Strong, Abbotsford director of administration and corporate
planning, said the city is also being strategic about dealing with "problem
properties" with the help of other government agencies.

Progress is being made, she said.

The Luxor is now closed for example, she said, and Blondies Billiards (which
had a history of criminal activity according to police) has now signed a
"good neighbour" agreement with the city.