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The Connaught Motor Inn sits along Highway 16 in Prince George, the city's downtown core to the north, a wooded area to the immediate east. But police and city officials say the motel has become known as something other than a place to stay. It's also a crime hot spot.

Prince George RCMP say they have been called to the motel about 750 times since 2012 – a significant drain on police resources in a city that already does not fare well on Statistics Canada's crime-severity index. The ongoing trouble at the motel recently prompted the city to suspend the Connaught's business licence for three months. The suspension takes effect July 1.

"All the motels and hotels we have in the city of Prince George, I'm going to guess there's 25," said RCMP Superintendent Warren Brown, the officer in charge of the local detachment, in an interview. "The totality of all the calls for service at all those other hotels and motels would not equate to the number of calls at the Connaught."

Supt. Brown said the exact cost of responding to the calls, and the number of hours officers have spent on them, has not been determined.

However, he said even the roughly 750 calls for service represent a mere fraction of the times officers have been to the inn.

"Maybe several thousand times we've actually been there," Supt. Brown said, including instances in which officers have undertaken patrols, served warrants or made other inquiries.

The motel's owner did not return a message seeking comment.

Prince George Mayor Lyn Hall said in an interview that the city initially suspended the motel's business licence in April after it failed to act on a number of bylaw infractions.

The infractions went beyond criminal offences, and included the motel's fire-safety plan, electrical system and mould, among other things.

The motel owner appealed the suspension, but council voted to uphold it at a meeting last week.

About 20 of the units had previously been occupied by monthly tenants, though the mayor said that number has since dropped to fewer than 10. The motel has about 100 rooms.

Mr. Hall said the city will assist those tenants who need to find a new place to live.

"We're prepared to be part of the solution. Our social-development department will certainly be part of that. The intent was never to put these people on the street," he said.

A BC Housing spokesperson said it will work with the Association Advocating for Women and Children, which is based in Prince George, to identify tenants who need provincial government assistance.

Supt. Brown said there are several reasons why the motel has generated the number of calls it has.

"It is in the heart of the city, it is at a busy intersection, it's a bit of a crossroads to shopping, to downtown services, to a liquor store. The location itself is ideal for folks who want to be in or around downtown, but there's other hotels, too," he said.

"I would say I don't believe the hotel has been managed efficiently, taking into account safety for not only its clients but also the immediate community."

Supt. Brown said disturbances are the primary reason for calls to police, and they could include screams for help or other behaviour that attracts the attention of passersby. He said there has also been a high number of assaults and alcohol-related activities, as well as concerns about prostitution and drug dealing.

WorkSafeBC has fined the motel for infractions in the past. In October, the Connaught was penalized about $3,900 after two workers were spotted repairing a roof without proper safety procedures.

Last July, WorkSafeBC fined the Connaught just less than $3,000 for not complying with health and safety deficiencies. It said staff entered rooms and other areas where they could have been exposed to asbestos, mould and various other hazards.

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