More heat on 377 Winnipeg

Photo: Colton Davies

Police and bylaw standing outside a home at 377 Winnipeg Street on Friday afternoon.

Authorities in Penticton were back at 377 Winnipeg St. on Friday afternoon as part of a scheduled patrol of the property. 

Three bylaw officers, four police officers and one fire inspector were at the home doing a follow-up from an inspection that occurred on Aug. 1, according to the city. South Okanagan RCMP regional commander Supt. Ted De Jager was also involved at the scene.

"Today’s visit is a continuation of the process underway to address known challenges surrounding this property,"  the city's communications manager Philip Cooper said in an emailed statement.

At one point, bylaw officers were seen carrying out a Honda generator, which was later confirmed to have been stolen, said bylaw supervisor Tina Seibert. The home has been running off a generator since electricity and water were cut off in March.

Seibert said some stolen property was seized during the inspection, but didn't comment on the extent of the seizure.

The three tenants of the home were handed a 48-hour eviction notice late last month. There were still two tenants living in the home on Friday, Seibert said.

One of the tenants told Castanet she planned to dispute the eviction, saying she and her boyfriend have been unfairly vilified by the actions of others on the property, which she said they aren't part of.

The property's owner, Raj Randhawa, was present during most of the inspection, as was Matt Taylor, the owner of a small apartment next door to the home.

Taylor was before Penticton council earlier this year requesting new bylaws to deal with nuisance properties in the city.

In a lengthy discussion while the inspection was happening, Taylor said Randhawa further voiced a commitment to cleaning up the property.

"The landlord has committed to follow through on his obligation as a good neighbour," Taylor said.

"Part of the reason we’re talking with the media is to... enable people to be held accountable for their commitments.

"At the end of the day, we are appreciative the landlord has made these commitments.”