Pubdate: Mon, 25 Aug 2003
Source: Surrey Now (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc., A Canwest Company
Contact:  http://www.thenownewspaper.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1462
Author: Ted Colley

MAYOR UPS CRACKDOWN

Surrey's mayor has ordered police to stop motorists in a section of Whalley 
notorious for prostitution and drugs and make them explain why they are 
there. Three roadblocks were set up Wednesday afternoon in the 
neighbourhood of a two-block strip of 135A Street, between 106th and 108th 
avenues, that has been a hangout for drug dealers and prostitutes.

"They were asking drivers for their licence and registration and then 
asking them what they were doing there," said one motorist, who asked not 
to be identified. Mayor Doug McCallum said the new measure is part of a 
planned escalation of enforcement in the area, but his actions are being 
criticized as going too far. It's one thing to stop drivers who approach 
dealers or hookers, Coun. Dianne Watts said, but at 4 p.m. on a weekday, 
area businesses are open and most motorists would be there for legitimate 
reasons.

"I support targeting drug dealers and johns trying to purchase sex, but to 
arbitrarily pull over people going about their daily business is not 
appropriate. That's excessive," said Watts, former public safety committee 
chair.

McCallum doesn't see it that way. He said the roadblocks are part and 
parcel of the get-tough-on-crime campaign he announced early this year, and 
he has no qualms about law-abiding citizens being stopped and questioned by 
police.

"People on legitimate business don't have anything to fear up there," 
McCallum said.

Roadblocks go up all over Surrey looking for drunk drivers, the mayor said, 
so what's wrong with putting them in Whalley to deter other criminal activity?

In January, McCallum ordered city workers to erect concrete barriers in the 
middle of the 135A strip, blocking through traffic and making vehicular 
access to the hookers and dealers more difficult.

In April, the barricades came out and 135A Street was made one-way, 
something McCallum said makes it easier to monitor traffic. Police patrols 
were also increased in the area, with street people being regularly 
questioned and searched.

Now, McCallum has two police officers and a paddy wagon stationed all day 
long on 135A, just to make sure everyone gets the message.

"We're going to clean up Whalley and we'll do it whatever way we can."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom