Pubdate: Mon, 09 Jan 2006
Source: Metro (CN BC)
Page: 3
Copyright: Metro 2006
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Author: Jared Ferrie
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

EASTSIDE RESIDENTS SUE CITY AFTER RAID

A group of Downtown Eastside residents is suing the city for alleged 
wrongful detention and destruction of property after police broke 
down doors looking for a methamphetamine lab on Sept. 14.

The lab was never found, but some residents say they were forced to 
stand in an adjacent parking lot for seven hours while police 
searched the Pender Hotel (31 West Pender St.).

"The police made me go outside and wouldn't let me get dressed, even 
though I was only wearing a short bathrobe and sandals," said Brian 
Sutton, a senior citizen who has lived in the hotel for more than two years.

David Eby, a lawyer with Pivot Legal Society who is representing the 
seven residents, said his clients are suing for punitive damages 
because they were humiliated and held against their will.

"City officials would never act this way towards residents of the 
West End or Kitsilano," he said, adding that residents hope the 
lawsuit will pressure the city into replacing the doors.

Ownership of the hotel is being disputed by the manager and the 
daughter of the deceased former owner, and neither party will agree 
to foot the bill for fixing the damage.

But Eby said the Residential Tenancy Act allows the city to make 
repairs and charge the owner later. Some tenants say they have had 
items stolen from their rooms.

Eby added that the hotel's manager allegedly offered members of the 
city's Hazardous Materials Team room keys, but they refused to take them.

The team was called in after a firefighter said he felt faint during 
a routine inspection of the hotel.

The seven residents and former residents of the hotel are suing the 
city in Small Claims Court for more than $140,000 combined. 
Individual claims range from $1,000 to $25,000.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom