Neighbour still irked over school-related troubles, despite some students’ efforts

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Little has changed on the front lawn of a Woodstock family – a gathering place for as many as 80 unwelcome College Avenue secondary school students – since they went public with their concerns last month.

But what has been done since The Free Press detailed the issues is the work of the high schoolers themselves, says Jamie Wood, the adult son of the couple that owns the triplex and lives in one of the units.

“Despite all the comments blaming the students today, the most genuine efforts have come from the students themselves and a teacher from the school,” he said.

Students from the horticulture program rototilled and reseeded the property, Wood said.

Caution tape, erected around the repaired property, is designed to protect it from being further trampled.

“This was our first positive experience and a valuable contribution to our neighbourhood,” Wood said.

In October, The London Free Press spoke with owner Kim Wood and her son about what they say is a four-year nightmare that has included harassment, intimidation and threats by teenagers who claim the yard belongs to them.

The students fight, vape, smoke and discard trash on the front of their property, near a bus stop and not far from the high school, they said.

“The say it’s their turf and they call it ‘the pit,’” said Kim Wood. “It’s their hangout now and it’s been nonstop for four years. We feel like we’re the city park for the school.”

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The family’s front yard was invaded by students about four years ago, she said.

Students could no longer smoke on school property, Kim Wood said, adding at one point students were smoking on one of the triplex’s front porches and police once handed out tickets.

More recently the family shared video of a student appearing to carry a knife and using it to cut through the caution tape set up on our property, Jamie Wood said.

“Students come out, rip the tape down, and then, some of the nicer students come out and put it back up,” he said. “The principal came over and talked to my parents and attempted to calm the situation, which they appreciated a lot.”

Kim Wood said the caution tape was pulled down for the fifth time Friday, and students have pulled out wire of a utility box three times.

“So, they disrespect their own fellow students,“ she said. “Why do they think its OK to wreck city property, my property?”

There is less garbage and fewer students in the morning, she said, but students still loiter there in the afternoon.

“Has it been a bit better? I’m hoping but we have to wait and see what happens now that the tape is down,” she said. “I don’t think we have the answer yet.”

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Dennis Wright is the Thames Valley District school board superintendent whose portfolio includes College Avenue. He said the board has had “lots of productive conversation over the past little while” with the Wood family.

As well, he said, he has spoken with Woodstock city hall bylaw officers and Woodstock police about “the need to step up enforcement because it is not on school property.” He meets in the coming weeks with Woodstock Mayor Jerry Acchione about the situation.

“I was there twice this week; there were no students there,” Wright said. “We have had significant – from my perspective, when I’ve been there, checking in – improvement in the situation.”

hrivers@postmedia.com

@HeatheratLFP

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