The people who live at the end of a rural road in Courtenay and own horses are calling for peace and calm.
They say people are causing mischief, leaving garbage and human waste at the end of Dove Creek Road and harassing horses with rocks and even fireworks.
It’s been a popular party spot, and some nearby residents say they’ve had enough.
Rhonda Posegate says the actions of those using the area aren’t just disruptive but may be harming the nearby horses.
“The last 17 months have been ridiculous,” said Posegate, who owns three horses and lives nearby.
Posegate says residents have witnessed drivers doing doughnuts or burnouts, shooting off fireworks and throwing stuff at the horses in the fields.
“Throwing rocks, sticks, anything they can find really,” said Posegate.
She says people have also been going to the bathroom on the side of the road and leaving garbage strewn about.
Neighbours have put up cameras, extra fencing and signage and say they’ve called the RCMP more than 55 times, but their primary concern is the horses’ health, and they’re begging those who frequent the area to be more respectful.
“There’s therapy animals here that need to be left alone. They need to be bomb-proof. You can’t be out here spooking the crap out of them non-stop day and night,” said Posegate.
“If people see kids doing it, report them. Do something about it. If this is your kid, talk to them.”
The road’s residents have a solution. They’d like to have some concrete barriers moved to block off a portion of the road at the end of the cul-de-sac.
“We want the barriers moved like now. We have offered to move them ourselves. We’re happy to do it ourselves if that will save the city money and time, energy,” said Posegate.
Comox Valley RCMP confirm they’ve had extensive contact with Posegate and say they’ve increased their patrols of the area as resources allow.
The City of Courtenay says the cul-de-sac provides enough room for vehicles, including emergency services, to turn around, and it connects to a field gate for the Comox Valley exhibition grounds.
It says city bylaw services attends frequently to monitor parking violations and illegal dumping.
Posegate says she hopes a better solution can be found so peace in the neighbourhood will return.
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Kendall Hanson
