Madison Erhardt
Trouble continues at a home along Nickel Road in Rutland.
Over the past few months, the RCMP, city bylaw, Kelowna Fire and paramedics have been called to 235 Nickel Road for various incidents involving drug overdoses, assault and the sighting of a firearm.
Kelowna RCMP Const. Mike Della-Paolera says the residence put police on hold.
“I can confirm that the police are very aware of the residence and its reputation, but I cannot comment on any active inquiries at this time. The residency has generated multiple files this year alone. I won’t provide numbers, but I assure you it’s far. more than the average place. Those files really include everything from criminal investigations, medical calls and support for Kelowna’s bylaws,” he said.
Castanet has heard from neighbors who are afraid to speak publicly about their annoyance with the situation.
In Kelowna, the property compliance team sees a team of city officials, bylaws, fire and police to deal with problem properties.
The team’s chairman, Ken Hunter, says they sort problem properties according to four criteria.
“We take into account the history and what kind of consumption or resources are being used, the complexity of the problems, the impact on the neighborhood and the severity of it. You can see that 235 ticks a few boxes here,” Hunter said.
He says the property caught the team’s attention back in May.
“We’ve looked into it and we’re working with the current ownership, which is in the Lower Mainland right now. They are very cooperative and motivated to comply and do something about the problem.”
Hunter says there are currently fire and safety concerns at the property.
“There are also construction concerns and there is a zoning issue that we are looking at as we speak. The occupants of this house are in front of the provincial branch for rent. We have to let the process unfold. We will continue to monitor and hold the owner accountable and any activity that occurs there by the responsible tenant,” Hunter added.
Hunter says in conversations with the current owner, he believes there is a desire to redevelop the property.
On Friday, police swooped on the notorious drug store after reports of two people overdosing. Paramedics administered naloxone to one of the residents, who was combative when brought back.
Della-Paolera said because the residence was “known to police,” the RCMP showed up in numbers for officer safety reasons.
On July 16, police were called to the home after reports of a possible airsoft gun being fired. No one was injured in the incident.
On April 30, a man was severely beaten with a baseball bat in front of his home. When police arrived, a man was inside the home with minor injuries from an attack involving the use of bear spray. Police said Wednesday that the incident remains under investigation.
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