Pubdate: Wed, 29 Apr 2009
Source: Prince George Free Press (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 BC Newspaper Group
Contact:  http://www.pgfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2135
Author: Arthur Williams

FAMILY FEARS FOR LIVES ON JARVIS STREET

Jarvis Street resident Carol Schwab is sick of being afraid in her own home.

Schwab said in the last six months she and her husband and grown 
daughter have been woken in the night by gunshots, fighting and 
screaming in the street.

The problems stem from a house Schwab said is owned by the Prince 
George Metis Housing Society in the 800 block of Jarvis and a nearby 
apartment block on Tabor Boulevard. The Prince George Metis Housing 
Society did not return calls to confirm or deny they operate the house.

"It's like a nightmare living across the street from this home. If we 
wanted to move, what could we get for our house with that across the street?"

Schwab said. "After the street fight I talked to the Metis housing 
society and they came and talked to the people. I've called Crime 
Stoppers again and again and nothing has happened. There are people 
coming and going at all hours of the night. I'm sure it's to do with drugs."

The latest incident took place on April 21, she said.

"The hollering started at 4 a.m. Three people went into the house, 
and then the three finally left and climbed in a window of the 
apartment building," she said. "Six police showed up at the apartment 
and arrested someone."

After seeing what could have been a drive-by shooting in the street, 
Schwab said she is afraid for her husband and daughter who work shift 
work sometimes late at night.

"There was two shots, then another five (or) six shots. I looked out 
our bedroom window and saw a black truck that took off," she said. "I 
am afraid, but I can't sit back and do nothing. I feel like I'm stuck 
between a rock and a hard place, because these people can do whatever 
they want."

Schwab said she's not prepared to accept living in fear as normal. "I 
don't want to wait until there is another shooting," she said. "We 
can't go anywhere, so we need to do something."

Schwab said when she tried to call the Prince George Metis Housing 
Society she was hung up on.

Prince George RCMP spokesman Const. Gary Godwin confirmed police 
arrested one man for disturbing the peace on April 21 at the residence.

Since the beginning of the year, police had been to the home three 
times, Godwin added.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart