Pubdate: Wed, 21 Dec 2005
Source: Osoyoos Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Osoyoos Times
Contact:  http://www.osoyoostimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3873

HARBOUR KEY DRIVE RESIDENTS HAVE SHOWN HOW TO FIGHT BACK

The residents of Harbour Key Drive have shown what can be done when
you do things the right way.

When suspected drug dealers moved into their neighbourhood, these
residents turned anger into action.

Not only did the residents come together to find a solution to their
problem, but they also brought in the RCMP, who quite willingly worked
with the residents in a monitoring program that eventually led to the
drug dealers leaving the neighbourhood.

Both the residents and the RCMP deserve credit.

Instead of doing nothing because of a feeling of powerlessness, these
residents took matters into their own hands, but they did so within
the rules of society.

The RCMP, who are key to any kind of a neighbourhood watch program
like this, certainly stepped up and did their job. This is a great
example of how doing things correctly can lead to the kind of result
that benefits not only the neighbourhood, but the whole community.

This example also shows that we are not powerless against what seems
like an ever increasing problem of drug dealers in our small
communities. While it may take organization and patience, there are
means to fight back.

RCMP Staff Sgt Walt Makepeace may be correct in saying we can't stop
drug trafficking, but he is also correct in saying that we can make it
extremely difficult to do so by putting in place simillar programs to
what was done on Harbour Key Drive.

It is definitiely worth the fight.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin