CITY HALL TO TACKLE DRUG DEALERS, AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLERS

NEW WESTMINSTER - New Westminster is concerned about people who make city
streets seem unsafe to residents and businesses.

City council recently approved a motion put forward by Coun. Jerry
Dobrovolny directing police to work proactively with city staff on the
growing issues of homelessness, drug trafficking and nuisance behaviour in
the Royal City.

"We need to be diligent with it," Dobrovolny said. "My real concern is it
is not a question of poverty, it is a question of nuisance behaviour."

Dobrovolny said homeless people aren't the problem, but street people who
aggressively panhandle and deal drugs are making life uncomfortable for
some residents and businesses.

"You see it around the city," he said. "It comes from other municipalities
squeezing people out."