Pubdate: Sun, 02 Nov 2003
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Travis Bangham

CRACK DEALERS DOING THRIVING BUSINESS

Lately, I've been working at a job site near the corner of Richards and 
Pender in Vancouver. And every day, all day long, I see these three guys 
selling crack. I walk by them to get a cup of coffee in the morning and at 
10 a.m. they are there with people smoking crack on the corner.

When I go get a piece of pizza for lunch I sit outside and watch them and, 
unbelievably, I watch the police drive by. They don't seem concerned with 
them in the slightest.

I'm sure everyone knows we have a big problem in this city with drug use 
and I've been told that it's better to go after the hive and not just the 
using bees. But, why do the police do nothing about this?

I've been at this job site for a week now and it's the same three guys 
selling crack everyday.

Is it policy to ignore these people?

Is something going to be done about this? I live in east Vancouver and last 
year I had my $5,000 mountain bike stolen by crack users looking for easy 
cash -- and now I have to watch the police drive by dealers on a daily basis.

I beg the government, the police or the good people of this city to rise up 
and say no to the crack dealers in our city and put these low lifes behind 
bars where they belong.

Travis Bangham,

Vancouver
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