DRUGS IN NORTH VANCOUVER

I have just finished reading the story regarding the rampant drug
dealing which is going on in North Vancouver (and West Vancouver as
well).

As a resident living right in the "thick" of things on West Fourth
Street in the City of North Vancouver who has tried unsuccessfully to
be proactive in my community, I feel I must speak out.

First there is no longer a pay phone in front of the 7-Eleven
mentioned, as I worked successfully with the management of 7-Eleven
and the payphone was removed.

There are still payphones in the area, one at the Chevron gas station
across the street, and the other in front of the cash-lending place on
West Third (how convenient).

Secondly, we have learned in our neighborhood there is almost no point
in even contacting the RCMP over crime issues.

We are still waiting for foot and bike patrol in our neighborhood -
how many years have we been waiting?

When I requested crime stats for my neighbourhood I was told by the
RCMP I would have to pay $400 to get this information.

We know there have been several stabbings on this street, but the RCMP
have never given residents any information on these events.

We do not even know if we are safe or not.

There has been no further information on the murder that took place at
the Delbrook community centre or the truck that was blown up on Mahon
Drive. Why?

The amazing thing is even though this is a high crime area, developers
are still trying to get close to a million dollars for housing units
on our street which makes me wonder if this is the reason crime is so
hushed up.

On the positive side for the RCMP, even if they do arrest, the
criminals are never charged in a way that would matter and immigrant
criminals are never deported.

I have lived here my entire 61 years, and my late father fought in a
war which I thought was for democracy and freedom, but I never thought
I would see the North Shore that is existing now. It's sickening and
disgusting.

As for me, I have actually almost given up as there is no point in
even trying, as my personal feeling is the RCMP have no respect for
those of us who are trying to make a difference.

They just consider us another "nuisance" call. As for city hall, ask
every one of the candidates what they have done so far to try and stop
the drug crime in North Vancouver and I guarantee the only ones that
will be able to answer in a positive way will be Couns. Pam Bookham
and Bob Fearnley.

SUE COOK

North Vancouver