RESIDENTS FORM NEIGHBOURHOOD PROTEST GROUP

A group of Abbotsford residents and business people are fed up with illegal
activity going on in the streets.

A committee calling itself Abbotsford Social Action, which is made up of
people who either live or work in the downtown area, has been meeting to
address people's concerns about the evident increase in prostitution and
drug trading in the downtown area.

They are trying to develop a plan to clean up the streets.

Jeff Brown, a homeowner in the downtown, said illegal activity on the
streets has gotten out of control.

"Some people have ladies soliciting johns on their driveways," he said.

"And drug deals are going on constantly - day and night." The group
attracted the attention of the mayor, members of city council and
Abbotsford's police chief, all of whom attended the group's last meeting.

"They listened to our concerns," Brown said.

"The police said they would set up surveillance of the area and the mayor
said he would do what he can."

But he said the group is trying to stay at the grass roots level. "In order
for change to occur, it will take action on behalf of the people in this town."

Brown said they plan to do things like walk the streets in groups to let
prostitutes and drug dealers know they are aware of them. "We don't want to
confront the criminal element but we want to let them know we are out there
and that we don't want them there," Brown said.

The group plans to meet early this week to make further plans. "For now, we
will walk the streets, but our long-term plans will include influencing the
government."

For information on the group, call Jeff Brown at 854-1705.