Some strong words at City Council about a by-law meant to target houses where drugs are being sold.
Council approved Councillor Aldo Ruberto’s motion to look at expanding the nuisance by-law to crack down on suspicious traffic in and out of homes, poorly-maintained property, “vulgur smells,” or garbage left outside. He argues it would be easier for police to arrest drug dealers if they had a record of by-law offences to help build their case.
“I talk to the police, and God bless them, they’re doing the best job possible, but their hands are tied,” Ruberto says.
Northwood Councillor Shelby Ch’ng voted for the motion, but had some concerns about the signs Ruberto says could point to so-called “trap houses”. She claims that large Indigenous families could be targeted if neighbours are suspicious of multiple family members entering and exiting the house.
Ch’ng feels creating more rules about property standards could also hurt the wrong people.
“These aren’t necessarily synonymous with gang criminal activity, yet it’s mental health issues that these things stem from,” Ch’ng says.
Ruberto claims it’s not fair to claim police would target Indigenous people, people with mental illness, or poor people.
“I hear ‘hey, wait a minute, woah, let’s take it easy here, because the police are going to use this as a tool against poor people. Because that’s what police wanna do, that’s on their agenda.’ That’s not what this is about. This is about helping the community,” the at-large Councillor urged.
City staff will come back in September with information about a nuisance by-law that could help alert police to possible drug houses.
