STANDING UP TO DRUGS, CRIME

Police To Help Taylor Avenue Residents' Group

Residents of Taylor Avenue are looking to take back their street from the
scourge of crack cocaine and they're forming a unified front to do it.

A grassroots group - similar to East Side Pride - is in the works and the
as-yet-unnamed venture will hold a community meeting Monday for citizens
wanting to join the fight.

Heather Loucks is spearheading the effort. Although she's not a resident of
the northeast Chatham neighbourhood, Loucks is the owner of two apartment
buildings on the street.

She said she's tired of being a landlord for drug traffickers and addicts.

As the owner of 42 units located at 43 and 49 Taylor Avenue, Loucks said
she's encountered a host of problems caused by errant tenants. Those
troubles range from all-night partying to property damage to a steady
parade of drug users looking to get high.

As a result, many tenants have left and half of the units are vacant.

"It's disturbing what goes on there," she said. "A lot of our good tenants
have moved out."

A single day saw 200 visits to one residence, said Loucks, from a clientele
that ranged in age from 15 to 65. Each visit lasted about five minutes.

Very expensive vehicles also visit the street on a regular basis, she added.

"People driving $50,000 cars probably wouldn't live in these $400-a-month
apartments."

She said there was also a report that passengers in a Windsor taxi made a
quick five-minute stop earlier this year.

One Taylor Avenue mother told Loucks she was afraid to let her kids play
outside. Another said she couldn't attend a community meeting because she's
afraid of a break-in.

"We just want to clean up the community," said Loucks. "We want to create a
safe neighbourhood and get rid of drugs and the people who sell them."

The support to form a community group on Taylor Avenue is there, said
Loucks. A November meeting that was advertised by handing out flyers to
locals was attended by close to 40 people.

"People are sick of it and they want it cleaned up," she added.

Loucks has been working closely with the Chatham-Kent police. Last month,
she allowed them to set up surveillance in the building.

Loucks said police were able to identify some of the traffickers as a result.

"They've been extremely helpful and and co-operative," she said. "They're
keeping an good eye on things."

Sgt. Dave Lutes, the district sergeant responsible for the Chatham area,
said forming the group is a proactive move.

"When people start something like this, it's infectious," he said. "You
can't help but get involved with people who want to take the initiative."

He hopes this effort will be able to duplicate the success of ESP by
sending a blunt message: "Your drugs are not welcome here ? goodbye."

ESP co-chairwoman Marjorie Crew said she's happy to assist the Taylor
Avenue residents. In the past 21/2 years, since ESP was founded, members
have learned through trial and error what works in the fight against
drug-related crime.

"Being visible on the streets is your best tool," said Crew. "It's the
biggest deterrent there is.

"If you want crime in your neighbourhood to flourish, all you to have to do
is turn a blind eye and pretend you don't see it," she added. "There will
be more."

No community is immune either, Crew added, because dealers and users "have
to go somewhere."

Loucks has agreed to chair the new committee. She said the group will work
with ESP and police to initiate activities like neighbourhood strolls.

Monday's meeting will be held at the Big Brothers building at 102 Taylor
Ave., beginning at 7 p.m.