The house at 235 Nickel Road has attracted a lot of attention in recent months, with several high-profile police incidents dating back to April. The landlord told Castanet last month that he tried to evict the tenants three different times, and the Residential Tenancy Board hearing was postponed until January 2023. “Well, it’s a notorious drug house — theft, drugs,” Andrew, a nearby resident, said Saturday. “Just the other day, we had a U-haul with a car in the back of it — probably stolen … it’s just non-stop. They’re squatting at home, and we’re just sick and tired of it as a neighborhood. We’re losing neighbors and we shouldn’t be they bully us into moving.” Police were alerted to Saturday’s protest and decided a police presence was necessary. “We’ve been made aware of this concern that people have in the neighborhood here, about a problem residence that we’ve attended from time to time, and so a protest or just to get their voice out there [is happening]RCMP officer Amadeo Vecchio said. “So we’re just showing the colors to make sure, you know, that everybody stays within their lanes. But again, people have the right to peacefully protest to get their message out for any change.” Kelowna City Council candidate Christopher Bocskei was in the neighborhood to show his support for the Rutland community. “Neighbors need respect. Answers are needed sooner. They don’t want to wait around wondering if it’s ever going to be resolved,” Bocskei said. “I wonder if their kids are going to be assaulted or exposed to drugs or things like that, which is definitely happening in this house… This is a scary property. To live next to that, as a parent, I would be extremely interested.” The upcoming municipal elections are held on October 15.
