ENGLAND SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MEAN STREETS

Dear Editor,

Re: Go west, young criminal (B.C. Views, Aug. 2).

Tom Fletcher thanks the British magazine The Economist for giving
Vancouver a black eye over its street crime. Vancouver is no worse
than any city its size anywhere in the world, and The Economist
should look closer to home.

Returning to England with an adult's eyes after 26 years I was
immediately assaulted by the incredible amount of graffiti and
garbage. I understand the garbage in train stations - a bomb safety
issue - but it is incredible when found in hedgerows all over the
country. Panhandlers are rife in the underground passageways begging
for handouts and on the tube itself. How can a person who needs money
afford the ticket?

I would suggest that when going downtown to a show, take McDonald's
and Tim Horton's gift certificates to give instead of cash, although
entreprenurial beggars/addicts can probably find a way to exchange
them for drugs, too.

Speaking of drugs, on my arrival by train to Brighton in the UK,
sitting on a bench on the promenade soaking up the first sun in days,
I watched a drug dealer for the good part of an hour plying his
trade. I would like to see drug-free cities too but the reality is it
is everywhere, and I find Tom Fletcher's 'glee' in Vancouver
receiving a black eye rather awful.

No need for ex-pat Brits to take offence to my criticism of the UK,
as I love it as much as my adopted country of Canada.

Annette Code

Pitt Meadows