NOB HILL RESIDENTS FEAR SECURITY PUSH

Members of the Nob Hill Neighbourhood Association find themselves
between a rock and a hard place.

Working hard to clean up their neighbourhood from problems arising
from open drug activity, crack houses, absentee landlords and
prostitutes, the association is concerned about plans for private
security patrols policing downtown businesses on Victoria Crescent,
Victoria Road and Cavan Street.

The Nob Hill neighbourhood borders Nicol, Milton, Albert and Cavan
streets.

Association member James Younger lives on the corner of Victoria Road
and Milton Street and doesn't wish bad luck or bad business to
business owners considering security on Victoria Crescent, but he
doesn't want the negative aspects pushed into his neighbourhood.

"We've seen a lot of positive change in our neighbourhood," he
said.

"Security would obviously be a positive effect for Victoria Crescent,
but where are these addicts and street people going to go?

"It is only a half block and you're into our neighbourhood."

Younger said the city is working hard through its nuisance bylaw,
identifying problem properties and shutting them down which has caused
a positive flow in the neighbourhood.

"Neighbours are happy, homes that were up for sale are being pulled
off the market," he said.

"We've seen new homeowners, new businesses, litter and needle cleanup.
Four years ago I would have never considered owning a property where I
am right now."

Younger admits there is problems downtown with a rough crowd of street
people who have arrived in Nanaimo within the last few weeks.

"They're scary. You see the staff at the Victoria Crescent gas station
having to yell at these people to go away," he said.

"But in neighbourhoods, if you say anything to them, these people say
to you they know where you live."

Business owner Rick Hyne is spearheading the security patrols and
agrees displacement will be a by-product of the security patrols.

"These folks are going to go somewhere, but the only thing we are
doing is keeping them out of our doorways and off private property,"
he said.

Hyne said he has offered neighbourhood associations help with
neighbourhood patrols, communication systems and setting up an office
in one of his buildings.

Hyne said 10 businesses have signed on for the security proposal and
he was to speak to a security provider this week.