COURTICE NEIGHBOURS CONCERNED ABOUT SQUATTERS

Residents are looking for help with the trespassing and squatting in vacant homes in their Courtice neighbourhood.

"This is my neighbourhood. I've been here 32 years. It's a real problem," said Teresa Koornneef.

"You look at people suspiciously and I've never been like that. This is Courtice, we have cows down the road."

In 2017, 14 homes were bought by a developer with plans for a future subdivision on the west side of Hancock Road, north of Nash Road. Those homes have sat vacant as the planning work progresses for the new development.

Residents of the neighbourhood said the empty houses are not secure, with broken doors and windows. Even when boarded up, the boards are soon pried loose and the homes made accessible again.

This spring, neighbours said they started noticing signs the homes were being used.

There were visible belongings and debris in the vacant homes. In the area, there has been unexpected traffic — ve

hicles parked in the driveways of the empty houses, and cyclists cruising the nearby culde-sacs. Several times, neighbours have even spotted people sleeping in the houses (one had a portable air conditioner running, according to Koornneef).

"There have been vagrants trespassing, squatting and subsequently breaking and entering into neighbouring inhabited homes in the Harry Gay (Drive) and adjacent neighbourhoods. A member of the community was even recently assaulted," said Sami Elhajjeh.

Neighbours said they have noticed escalating crime activity in their community — going from change stolen from un-

vehicles to break-ins of locked garages and larger thefts, ranging from an antique fishing pole to several bicycles.

"When I go to bed in the evening, instead of turning everything off, I put my porch light on. I have a portable camp light and I point it out the window at my vehicles," said Koornneef.

Police have been notified of the problem and attend when called, but police can only do so much, the neighbours say. Mu

nicipal bylaw has been notified and has spoken with the developer. The developer, for its part, has reboarded up the homes and hired a security company to monitor the area on weekends.

"The homes are vacant and should be demolished, or security paid by the developer should be on site daily. This is a recurring issue and needs to be addressed," said Elhajjeh.

Scott Lafete a spokesperson for the developer, Marlin Springs, told council members they will apply to demolish the homes as soon as it's confirmed that the electricity is shut off. The company has been working since May to get all utilities shut down so the homes can be safely demolished and is still waiting, Lafete explained.

Council members reassured the residents they would follow up to ensure the utilities are shut off, so the developer can begin the work to get the homes demolished.

"This is a real concern for safety. The residents are concerned. There have been incidents. The police had to be involved," said Coun. Janice Jones.