QUIET STREET NOW HOME TO KNOWN CRACKHOUSE AND ESCORT SERVICE

Crack cocaine has become a major problem in Hamilton's downtown core.
But residents in a quiet suburban neighbourhood in Ancaster believe a
major crack house and escort service is being run in their community,
and they want the police to do something about it.

"This is not what you expect in a neighbourhood like this," said a
homeowner on Lloyminn Avenue who asked not to be identified. "I've
been here for 20 years and this is a family-friendly place to live.
This is not what you expect when you pay more than $5,000 a year in taxes."

The neighbour is concerned about a home on his street which most area
residents believe is an alleged crack house and escort service.
Neighbours say suspicious activity has been going on at the home for
nearly two years.

Just a week ago, on Oct. 31, police found a woman slumped over the
steering wheel in a parked car at the corner of Dunsmure and Garfield
in Hamilton's east end.

Two Cell Phones

"The officer found a bag of crack, $600 in cash and two cell phones
in the car with her," said Station 30 Insp. Bob Buck. "Darlene
Wachnuik was arrested and charged with possession for the purpose of
trafficking and with fail to comply with a probation order."

Police said the accused resides at 22 Lloyminn Ave.

Residents in the upscale Ancaster neighbourhood did not want to be
named in this story for fear of retribution.

"We've called police about people walking out of the house who are
obviously stoned on something. But what's scarier is the half-naked
young women strolling the street getting in and out of vehicles, then
heading back into that house," said one homeowner.

"We've also called the city to complain about the make-shift fence
which is an eyesore, and the many junky vehicles sprawled around the property."

Another concern for neighbours is the non-stop parade of vehicles,
including cabs, that arrive at the residence at all hours of the day and night.

The City of Hamilton's property standards coordinator, Randy
Charlton, confirmed the house is well-known to his department.

"Bylaw officers have been up there for complaints of abandoned cars,
fence issues and unkempt yard maintenance," said Mr. Charlton. "The
residents have complied to requests from us. We continue to monitor it."

But neighbours don't think enough is being done.

"I don't know why police aren't doing more? The chief lives in
Ancaster. Does he want this here?" said a longtime resident of the
street. "I thought Chief Mullan had crack (cocaine) as his main focus
for the Hamilton police."

A mother pushing her two young children in a stroller down Lloyminn
Avenue told the Ancaster News she found a needle in the grass in
front of the property.

"This type of thing doesn't belong in Ancaster," she said.