Pubdate: Mon, 14 May 2007
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Elizabeth Woods
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?188 (Outlaw Bikers)

POSITIVE APPROACHES TO STREET PROBLEMS

The police desire for surveillance cameras and the obscene bylaw that 
mandates the seizure of backpacks are signs of a society that prefers 
suppressing symptoms of malaise by oppressing victims to tackling the 
underlying problems.

To get people off the streets, the provincial government should 
adequately fund services and housing for the mentally ill and 
addicted and invest in affordable housing by financing individuals, 
co-operatives and NGOs.

To bring the use of drugs under control, the federal government 
should end the war on drugs and redirect the funds currently wasted 
on enforcement to regulation, education and treatment. Otherwise, 
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is not tough on crime, he's the Hells 
Angels' best friend.

However, I do support many more police on foot patrols, day and 
night. Their visible presence would deter crime, they could help 
defuse conflicts before they escalate and provide assistance to 
anyone requiring it.

The improvement in our civility, and security, would be worth it.

Elizabeth Woods,

Victoria.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman