Pubdate: Fri, 21 Sep 2007
Source: Morning Star, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 The Morning Star
Contact:  http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1352
Author: Roger Knox

ENDERBY FIGHTING MAD OVER CRIME

Tired of drugs, drug dealers and sex trade workers taking over the
streets of their community, Enderby residents vow to take their city
back.

An overflow crowd of more than 250 people packed into the Enderby
Evangelical Chapel Wednesday night in a town hall meeting to voice
their concerns to Mayor Sue Phillips, council and new Enderby RCMP
detachment commander-in-charge, Cpl. Kim Moore.

"We won't come up with any solid solutions tonight, and we're not here
to lay blame, point fingers or call people names," said moderator
Maureen Walker. "We are a civilized community. Let's not act like what
we're trying to cure."

The objective of the evening was to come up with ideas and pro-active
solutions to help solve a rampant and growing drug problem in the community.

Microphones were set up in the crowd, and close to 30 people shared
their opinions and stories during the two-hour meeting, with some 10
others writing out questions and suggestions for Walker to share with
the audience.

Susan Kendall, newly arrived from Alberta, read a note from A.L.
Fortune Secondary School principal Abbas El Gazzar, who recommended
there be more RCMP officers assigned to Enderby, and that a liaison
officer be assigned to the school, which brought a raucous cheer.

Cpl. Moore confirmed that liaison officers have been assigned to all
schools in Enderby.

Splats'in First Nations Coun. Agnes Felix said cities like Kelowna,
Kamloops and Vancouver are chasing out drug dealers and addicts who
end up in Enderby because of cheaper housing.

"We are willing to share our resources to help clean this (drug use)
out of both of our communities," said Felix, drawing a large round of
applause.

A single-parent mother, holding back tears, described how her daughter
- - "her best friend" - had moved to Surrey because "it's a safer
place to live."

An unidentified man called the dealers and prostitutes "resident
evil."

"This (meeting) can't end here," said the man. "We have to be
vigilant. Give police the information they need. Don't fear these
people. Don't be afraid of retaliation."

Armstrong Mayor Jerry Oglow, who told his "neighbours" from Enderby
that his community is sharing the same problems, wants to see changes
to the judicial system.

"We need federal and provincial representation invited to the table,"
said Oglow, in reference to a special task force being set up in
Enderby to deal with the situation. "And don't forget us in Armstrong.
We won't abandon you, don't abandon us."

The task force, which will include Mayor Phillips, councillors and
volunteers from the community, will hold its first meeting Oct. 2.

Members of the crowd, however, wanted the meeting held before that
date. Phillips explained that it couldn't be held earlier because of
conflicting schedules. Most of Enderby council will be attending the
Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver next week.

Phillips, who plans to meet with MLA George Abbott to discuss the town
hall meeting and the fall-out, was very impressed with the turnout.

"This is a powerful group that cares about Enderby and Area F," said
Phillips. "People want to make this a good place to live. We must
continue with the momentum we have going."

Cpl. Moore addressed the crowd at the end of the meeting.

"There have been lots of points made here tonight," she said. "I'm
pleased to see the commitment to work together. There have been some
excellent solutions."

Moore said one of her first priorities since taking over the command
is to add more foot patrols in the community.

A public meeting was held in Barnes Park two weeks ago that drew more
than 170 people, the majority of whom voiced frustration with a lack
of help from city hall and the RCMP.

Concerns were further fueled last Sunday following a shooting at the
Capri Lodge, a motel-like establishment on Highway 97 and an alleged
site of many drug transactions. One male was shot and suffered
non-life-threatening injuries.

Both people involved are from Enderby, know each other and are
well-known to police.

In a related development, Peter Moynan, who was arrested in a sting
earlier this year at the Enderby Lodge on Highway 97, was sentenced to
a year in jail, which brought a collective moan from the crowd when
the topic came up during the meeting.

Moynan was also given a lifetime firearms prohibition.
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MAP posted-by: Derek