Pubdate: Fri, 16 Feb 2007
Source: Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007Lower Mainland Publishing Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.thenownews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1340
Note: Headline created by MAP
Author: Jennifer Baxter

DRUG PROBLEM NEEDS ATTENTION

We need to do something about the drug problem. I have recently been a
victim of auto theft in the Port Coquitlam area.

I am just one of at least 20 people who have had their vehicles broken
into in my building in under a month.

There is a real theft problem in the northside area of Port
Coquitlam.

They may not be stealing the cars but they are breaking into
them.

These people need to be stopped and the city has to do something about
it.

It's not just the break-ins, it's the problem with the rising homeless
population.

They are not just begging for money anymore but harassing patrons of
the local Safeway store.

They sit drinking in the alcoves at my apartment building and nobody
has done anything about it.

I watch them do drugs and make deals in Aggie Park, drinking out of
paper bags and loitering around the corner store.

This is enough. People should not have to have their belongings stolen
or feel like they can't walk over to their local grocery store out of
fear of being mugged or harassed.

I'm sorry.  I'm a compassionate person, but enough is
enough.

The police need to make our streets safe again and stop this menacing
behaviour. There is a bigger problem than just the break-ins; it's
what is causing these people to behave this way.

We need to do something about the drug problem plaguing Port
Coquitlam.

These people wouldn't be destroying other people's property if they
didn't have to satisfy their fix.

It is sad that Port Coquitlam is becoming like this, and it doesn't
have to.

I just hope people read this letter and say, "Yeah, I agree. It's time
to do something."

JENNIFER BAXTER

Port Coquitlam 
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MAP posted-by: Steve Heath