Pubdate: Fri, 25 Feb 2005
Source: Burnaby Newsleader (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Burnaby Newsleader
Contact:  http://www.burnabynewsleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1315
Author: Michael McQuillan

EDMONDS GETS ACTION FROM COPS, CITY HALL

Edmonds residents got what they wanted Wednesday night at the Edmonds town 
hall meeting: Action.

Both the RCMP and City of Burnaby are stepping up efforts in the area, 
hoping to clean up the prostitution and drug trade.

The RCMP have already increased its police efforts after a barrage of 
citizen complaints. More officers have been called in to police the area 
and RCMP have adopted a "zero-tolerance" approach.

Also, starting April 1, a new problem oriented police squad (POPS) of 12 
officers will be deployed in Burnaby. Their first assignment will be a 
"clean sweep" in the Edmonds area, RCMP Supt. Carl Schmietenknop told the 
meeting.

The neighbourhood's latest increase in criminal activity is the result of 
similar clean sweep operations in Vancouver and Surrey. They've pushed 
their drug and sex trade problems into Edmonds, said Schmietenknop. 
"Hopefully Vancouver will be getting some of our clientele," he joked.

Residents in the area have seen more prostitution and the drug trade over 
the last two months. At Wednesday's meeting, Schmietenknop said it was the 
result of fewer police patrolling Edmonds. Last summer there was additional 
funding for policing but that money ran out two months ago.

As a result of residents' complaints the funding was brought back last week.

"You should be seeing a difference right away," Schmietenknop said.

The City of Burnaby's plans for Edmonds are long term. Increased street 
lighting and sidewalks are some of the structural changes being made over 
the next two years. They've also eliminated 33 problem buildings. Using 
crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) principles, bushes, 
trees and other hiding places are being eliminated or reduced to curtail 
criminal activity.

Mayor Derek Corrigan, who attended the meeting with other members of 
council, said projects were being built that would help build the 
community. A new library is expected to be ready in three years, followed 
by an aquatic centre. There have also been community-building events such 
as the annual Santa Claus Parade and City Fair held in Richmond Park.

There's been a turnaround in Edmonds community spirit, he said. "Two years 
ago we wouldn't have been able to hold this meeting. Today, any slippage in 
this neighbourhood won't be tolerated, and that's a sign of a healthy 
community coming together."

While the increased police enforcement was applauded by most, one speaker 
had another opinion. A resident of New Westminster chastised Corrigan and 
the RCMP for sweeping the problem into other cities. Prior to the New West 
man's complaint, the mayor told residents: "I don't really care where they 
go as long as they go away."

Corrigan later explained he and Edmonds residents were frustrated they had 
been on the receiving end of criminal activity lately. Even though it 
results in the problem being swept into other cities, it's important to put 
police pressure on those in the sex and drug trades, said Corrigan, 
otherwise they become established in neighbourhoods -like they have in Edmonds.

But police pressure from opposing cities will never solve the problem, he 
admitted. These people on the street need treatment for their drug abuse. 
The Burnaby RCMP confirmed that all of the prostitutes in the Edmonds area 
are on the streets because of a drug addiction.
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