NEEDLE DISCOVERY REQUIRES ACTION

Despite What Bureaucrats May Think, Urgent Matters Happen After
Office Hours and on Weekends.

That reality was brought to light when a Coldstream resident
discovered discarded hypodermic needles lying along Aberdeen Road
late Wednesday night. Wanting someone to come and pick them up, he
called the authorities but got the royal run-around.

It was later discovered that Coldstream community policing members
are only available to come and get needles during work hours.

"If it's after hours, we ask that a person cover up the needles the
best they can, like with a box or a blanket," said Kate Leeder, co-ordinator.

That advice is not acceptable.

Until the needles are actually removed from the scene, residents, and
especially children, are still at risk. If anything, placing a box
over them will likely encourage a curious child to investigate.

Leeder goes on to say, "We don't advocate having anyone trying to
pick up needles."

But by just leaving them there, in the hopes the authorities will
come, residents are going to take the chance in removing them so
their children are safe.

Vernon firefighters will pick up needles within city limits, so we
wonder why Coldstream's firefighters can't do the same?

Maybe a contract should be awarded to the Vernon Fire Department to
respond after hours. When public safety is at risk, jurisdictional
boundaries mean nothing.

But while this incident occurred in Coldstream, we question if the
region's other small communities are prepared to handle such situations.

The discovery of needles in a Coldstream neighbourhood is a wake-up
call that drug activity occurs every where and we must be ready to act.