Pubdate: Sat, 16 Jun 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: John Amon DRUGS THE PROBLEM, NOT A FAMILY'S FENCE Only in Victoria! Parents build a fence around their home to protect their young children from drug paraphernalia left by addicts. The city bureaucracy refuses to grant an exemption for the fence, which the rules permit. Coun. Pam Madoff criticizes the parents for not appealing earlier to council and for not seeking her advice, while implying nothing would have been done anyway. She also says that drug paraphernalia is an issue throughout Victoria and is not unique to Vic West. Exactly. As a grandparent to five young children, I question why the city is so quick to respond to a single complaint about a fence bylaw infraction but does nothing to police rampant drug abuse and the consequent crime associated with it. I applaud the efforts of this family and urge the city to grant them the exemption they seek. John Amon, Victoria - --- MAP posted-by: Derek