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 - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath