Pubdate: Thu, 04 Oct 2007
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2007 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact:  http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502
Author: Nick Martin

BOOTING OUT DRUG DEALERS

Residents Rally In Point Douglas

When Milt Stegall asked if there were any drug dealers present in Joe 
Zuken Park Wednesday night, no one stepped forward.

Not surprising, given the presence of police, politicians and cameras 
among about 150 residents of the neighbourhood of single-family homes 
on the west bank of the Red River.

The crack houses are not all gone - yet - in north Point Douglas, but 
residents rallied Wednesday to declare that they're taking back their 
neighbourhood.

"We're stepping it up. We're using this to put pressure on. They're 
not in control - the community's in control of its own 
neighbourhood," said Sel Burrows, co-chairman of the Point Douglas 
residents' committee.

The residents have bought big time into the Doer government's Safer 
Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, legislated five years ago to give 
the government the power to shut down properties used for drug dealing.

Family Services Minister Gord Mackintosh, who brought in the 
legislation while attorney general, said there have been 258 crack 
houses shut down, 28 in Point Douglas alone, thanks to confidential 
tips from the community.

While there are similar programs underway in the William Whyte, 
Spence, and Mackintosh's own St. John's neighbourhood, Point Douglas 
is the first to hold a public demonstration on this scale, said Al 
Cameron, manager of the province's public safety investigation unit.

"It is grassroots. It works with you and for you," said Cameron, who 
told the rally that it is the residents who know where the crack houses are.

"We know where the crack houses are. The Grade 5s know where the 
crack houses are," said Chris Burrows, Sel's wife.

She said residents considered a citizens' patrol or Neighbourhood 
Watch, but "we didn't want to do that on a cold night. Who's going to 
take care of your kids while you're out?" she said.

So residents filter tips on crack houses through several sources to 
ensure anonymity, then pass them on to police.

Sel Burrows said crack houses are easy to spot: "People go in, stay 
for three minutes, and they're gone... a lot of taxis coming and 
going. The customers are mostly young, but the addicts are a pretty sad lot."

Cameron said there have been more than 100 arrests and 99 per cent of 
landlords have been co-operative in evicting drug dealers. There have 
been only five repeat dealers among the 258 crack houses shut down, he said.

"Drug dealers, they hate to see things like this happen," said 
Stegall, the Blue Bombers' star receiver, who dropped by to show support.

Day-care operator Susan Williams decried the presence of the dealers. 
"We have to check the park for sharps, so the kids can play," she said.

Winnipeg school board chairwoman Kristine Barr lauded the kids at 
Norquay School, who told Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean about their safety 
fears earlier this year.

"We're saying, 'Get out of here... because we're taking the 
neighbourhood back,' " Mackintosh said, in a challenge to anyone 
standing in the shadows beyond the circle of residents.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman