CITY TARGETS 'PROBLEM PROPERTIES'

New Westminster is setting its sights on problem properties in the city.

Properties that pose safety hazards for their inhabitants and safety
and livability problems for their neighbours are targetted under new
city initiatives.

The city established the Housing Integrated Service Team to deal with
problematic properties that pose serious community concerns regarding
crime, extraordinary demands for police service, adverse
neighbourhood impacts, bylaw violations and safety hazards.

"New Westminster is on the cutting edge of these types of issues,"
said city solicitor Michael McAllister of Murdy & McAllister
Barristers and Solicitors. "Even other (municipal) clients that we
have are asking about this. Others are coming forward and asking how
this is working."

McAllister said the committee's attitude has been "don't tell us what
we can't do, tell us what we can do."

"Because of this and our approach to this, there is a confidence in
our residents that something will be done," said Mayor Helen Sparkes.
"It does make a safer city - that is what we want."

The Housing Integrated Service Team (IST) prioritizes its resources
by dealing with properties on a "worst-first" basis, but it does deal
with less severe properties when opportunities arise to easily
resolve concerns.

According to a staff report to city council, IST has dealt with more
than 60 properties.

Strategies used to address concern with these properties include:
getting the property owner's cooperation to resolve identified
issues; getting special orders pursuant to the Local Government Act
and Health Act; revoking business licences; enforcing health, fire
and safety regulations; and enforcing local bylaws such as the
Controlled Substance Property Bylaw.

"It's been tough slogging with some of these places," said Keith
Coueffin, assistant director of strategic services. "We have worked
with various places to relocate people - not all of them want help."

The Integrated Service Team has dealt with various problematic
properties: marijuana grow operations; crack houses; chronically
problem properties; and rental buildings with poor management
practices.

"Keep it up. It is an ongoing issue," said Coun. Jerry Dobrovolny.
"Some of the worst addresses have been addressed."

Although the Integrated Service Team initially identified about three
dozen properties that cause concerns in the community, it continues
to add to the list - and still has about three dozen properties to
address.

New Westminster city council will write to each member of the Housing
Integrated Service Team to commend them for their incredible efforts
in finding solutions to deal with the problem properties.

"Your successes, certainly as council, we have had many good
comments," Coun. Casey Cook told IST members attending a recent
council meeting. "It gives neighbourhoods hope."

Coun. Chuck Puchmayr said a continued police effort to deal with
prostitution and drug activities will help address problem properties.

"With the sex trade comes everything associated with it - syringes,
crack houses," he said. "It takes a long time to get that element
from your neighbourhood."

The Integrated Service Team is composed of representatives from the
engineering, planning, fire, strategic services, finance and police
departments, the health region, B.C. Gas, B.C. Electrical Safety
Branch, and the Ministry of Human Resources.

"If any residents have any concerns, they are certainly welcome to
call me," Coueffin said about problem properties. "For criminal
activities they certainly should be calling the police."