Pubdate: Tue, 26 Jan 2010
Source: Amherst Daily News (CN NS)
Copyright: Amherst Daily News 2010
Contact:  http://www.amherstdaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3379
Author: Raissa Tetanish

YOU GOT SERVED

Tenants Forced To Vacate Apartment After Complaints Of Illegal Drug Activity

AMHERST - Cumberland County has seen some of its first action under 
the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act.

The leaseholder of an apartment in a house on Charles Street has been 
told to vacate the premises after residents in the community 
complained about illegal drug activities.

Cumberland Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit Const. Tim Hunter 
said an investigation has been ongoing with the unit, the Criminal 
Intelligence Service Nova Scotia and Department of Justice Public 
Safety for the past five months into the activities at 8 1/2 Charles Street.

"The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods have completed an 
investigation and have the authority to post the property and give 
the tenants a notice to vacate," Hunter said.

Tenants of the apartment now have to find a new place to live.

Under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, a person can 
submit a complaint about a residence if they believe that "his or her 
community or neighbourhood is being adversely affected by activities 
on or near a property in the community or neighbourhood; and the 
activities indicate that the property is being habitually used for a 
specified use."

According to the act, the complaint must be made in an acceptable 
form and manner, including the information the director requires. 
Once a complaint has been filed, the director can take a number of 
paths such as investigating the complaint, requiring further 
information from the complainant, sending a warning letter to the 
owner or occupant, attempt to resolve the complaint by agreement or 
informal action, apply for a community safety order or not take any 
action at all.

The director also has the authority to enter the property without the 
consent of the owner or occupant to close it and keep it closed under an order.

Hunter said the street crime unit had also executed a search warrant 
at the residence on Jan. 6 and two adults are facing charges under 
the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

"There have been several complaints made by the public about drug 
activity, which is why the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods came 
involved," he added.

The couple is facing charges of possession of cannabis resin, 
possession of cannabis marijuana and trafficking marijuana.

The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act was instituted in the 
province in 2007. Last month, the province hit a milestone with 500 
complaints having been investigated.

Illegal activity has been shut down in Halifax, Cape Breton and the 
Annapolis Valley in the past year under the Act.

For more information on the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, 
visit www.gov.ns.ca .
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom