Dear Editor,
[Re: Doughnut shop drug video goes viral, The News, April 5]
I read with interest and concern your recent story that included the mayor’s reaction to the recent drug use video from inside the Tim Hortons.
Although I understand the mayor’s desire to protect the reputation of our community, I am concerned that he is seeing this as more of a PR exercise (with concerns also about upcoming provincial election) rather than acknowledging the magnitude and high risk of the current situation in downtown Maple Ridge.
The mayor noted that “as soon as I saw it, we had everyone mobilized.” He seems primarily motivated by media attention but this is not a new or isolated incident. I have personally witnessed hard-core drug use (in areas of active public use), public defecation, sexual acts (prostitution?), physical threats of violence/fights etc. in areas and blocks near this Tim Hortons. Adjacent businesses (eg Gold Rush Jewellers) have reported same along with increasing crime. Any local politician who does not understand the extent of the current problem is either being disingenuous or is negligently out of touch.
Further, I was surprised with the emphasis the mayor placed on the need for local businesses to respond. Frankly, this is complete BS. I have been in that same Tim Horton’s and have thought how unfair and unsafe it was for these minimum wage workers to work in this environment. These are public health and safety issues that public safety/health agencies and all levels of government must address. They are responsible… period.
Finally, I can’t help but wonder about the path that Maple Ridge and other B.C. communities are on regarding decriminalization, open use policies, safe consumption sites etc. when there are major gaps in critical supporting elements (e.g. timely access to recovery programs). One of the people interviewed in Tim’s viral video was a local drug recovery support worker who complained that there are nowhere near enough recovery spaces in Maple Ridge. I note with great interest that places like San Francisco, Portland etc. are now actually reversing their policies / programs given the poor results and negative consequences that they have seen (due in large part to inadequate recovery programs and plummeting public support given increase in public safety risks). If improvements are not made to address key issues, I see no reason why the results in Maple Ridge will differ which will lead to continued deterioration of our downtown core.
Although I understand the mayor’s concerns about politicization, I very much support the need for a thorough and transparent public discussion as part of the upcoming provincial election. As a minimum, citizens need to understand the facts about the current situation and plans to address any critical shortfalls and risks (e.g. recovery programs, enforcement). All local politicians, particularly MLAs Beare and D’Eith, should be asked to respond directly to the current situation in Maple Ridge along with their specific (and funded) plans to address.
Ken Smith, Maple Ridge
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