Pubdate: Tue, 25 Jun 2013
Source: Observer, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2013, Sarnia Observer
Contact: http://www.theobserver.ca/letters
Website: http://www.theobserver.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1676
Author: Barbara Simpson

DEALERS PUT ON NOTICE

Veterans Park Being Used for Drug Deals, Neighbour Says

Sick and tired of watching drug deals in her neighbourhood park, a 
downtown Sarnia resident is putting those responsible on notice.

On a scrap of cardboard, the woman - who asked not to be identified 
out of fear of retaliation - has called out neighbourhood drug 
dealers, pinning the message onto a bench in Veterans Park this weekend.

"To all the scum, selling & dealing drugs on this bench & in our 
Veteran's (sic) Park, the same people that fought & died to save our 
country...you are all being video'd & watched! The Neighbourhood," 
the sign reads.

The neighbour says she's frustrated that drug deals are being made in 
the downtown green space, frequently used by neighbourhood children 
and seniors.

"It happens during the day," she said. "It happens at night."

Located behind the Sarnia library, Veterans Park is also home to the 
cenotaph and the annual Remembrance Day service.

Young drug dealers and users are even congregating around the 
cenotaph, the neighbour added. The monument lists more than 200 local 
soldiers who died serving Canada.

"That statue has become a very good spot for (drug dealers)," the 
woman said. "They hide there."

A bench facing onto Victoria Street is also a hotspot for users 
waiting for their supply.

"They get out there and sit there and wait for the person coming to 
meet them," the neighbour said. "Then they jump back into their truck 
and fix themselves up."

Fellow neighbours are concerned about the drug activity and some have 
even considered moving, she said.

"It's sad," she said. "We have a 16-year-old stepdaughter. This is 
not what I want for her. I've thought, 'Should I move?'"

Most neighbours are afraid to speak up, she said.

"Because of the complications of what these people could do afterwards."

Sarnia police Const. Heather Emmons said the service's vice unit is 
aware of drug activity in the area.

"It's not an emerging problem," she said. "We often have activity in 
behind that location and it creeps over onto Julia (Street), which is 
a dead-end road."

Emmons said officers face the challenge of having to catch the person 
committing a crime in order to lay charges.

Sometimes suspects have left by the time police arrive at the scene, she said.

But people should report any suspected drug activity they see, she said.

"If there is a problem, yes, call us," she said. "We'll respond."

Since posting the sign Saturday, the neighbour has noticed people 
stopping to read it. She's also seen drug dealers steer clear from 
hanging out at the bench.

"That's why I did it - I want the message to be out there to people," 
the neighbour said. "This is what's going on."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom