Drug turf war escalating in Dawson Creek

The streets of Dawson Creek have become a battleground in a growing drug turf war, and now police are asking the public for assistance to try and stop it before innocent bystanders are killed.

A drive by shooting targetinga house where police suspect there is drug activity is the latest incident.Last montha man was kidnapped at gun point from a pub, beaten, bear sprayed,and stabbedbefore escapinghis abductors by jumping out a window.

Police says the victims in both cases are not cooperating.

"As far as we can tell there seems to be an influx of factions from the lower mainland and Alberta looking to gain control of the lucrative drug trade inthe Peace region," saidRCMPSgt. EdReinink.

Reinink describes Dawson Creek as a sleepy hollow for policinguntil about a year ago. Now hesays the slump in the oil patch is driving the crimewave.

"When the economy is good the crime rate goes down, but we've seen a fairly significant downturn in the economy in this area in the last year and a half and that's contributed to the upswing in crime."

Reinink thinks there's as a many as six different gangs vying for the drug trade in Dawson Creek and the surrounding areas.

He says people in a small town like Dawson Creek may be afraid to come forwardfearing they may become a target themselves, but without information from the public, the danger will continue.

"When you have these individuals who have absolutely no consideration for the people around them, firing guns in townat houses, you don't know where those rounds are going to end up," Reinink said.

To hear the full interview listen to the audio labelledDrug turf war escalating in Dawson Creekon CBC'sDaybreak North.