Residents of 11th and 12th Streets near Grand Forks Secondary School have had enough, according to Graham Frost, as he takes their concerns to the City of Grand Forks at yesterday’s council meeting.
Frost said since the school removed the safe smoking area from school grounds, students have taken it to the streets, with residents noting an increase in unsavoury behaviour.
“The result was that group of students has moved just 50 feet, 100 feet, down the alley in behind and into the immediate area of the residence.” said Frost.
“There is drug use back there, there is drinking back there. We have found alcohol bottles. My kids have picked up stuff. We have the vandalism to some of the residents over there.”
“This just past Friday, we saw a student go out of their way to do something to a house.”
Frist said the youth have gone as far as intimidating residents and forcing security cameras to be installed for safety.
Frost commended the school and police for taking steps to be proactive, however, is calling for a unified approach from more local authorities.
“The staff has tried to get out there on occasion, but it’s difficult for them to get out there exactly at the times that they’re happening,” said Frost.
“The police have been requested to come by, I know that they have done some drive-throughs in the alley there, asking students to disperse from the area and they’ll move away for a short time, then they come right back within the same day, sometimes within a couple of days.”
“We do appreciate what everyone else has done and attempt to try and resolve this, but it is continuing.”
Councillor Neil Krog called for the issue to be put back onto the School District.
“I find these actions unconscionable and the school district, it’s their issue. It’s their problem. Either put it back on school property or control it.”
Grand Forks RCMP Sgt Darryl Peppler sympathized with residents and the school board, stating an approach together would see better outcomes.
“Anyone over the age of 12 can be arrested if we catch them in possession of certain drugs in certain amounts.” said Peppler.
Council voted in favour of a motion to write an officially letter to the School District showing their displeasure with the issues of loitering in alleys near the school and request a plan to remedy these concerns before school returns in the fall.
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