DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS FED UP

A delegation of business owners will attend tonight's public hearing at
City Hall to voice frustration over conditions downtown.

"There are about 40 of us from downtown who are fed up with the drug
addicts and street people and the lack of any progress down here," said
Tara Clark of Body Mist Tanning

She said many business owners will not renew leases in the area where the
number of street people began to mushroom last spring

"Some who have long-term leases are looking for ways to get out of them,"
said Clark

The city has established committees that are searching for long-term
solutions and has offered enticements to developers to rebuild the
commercial appeal of Leon and Lawrence streets

But the volume and attitude of some street people is making life
unendurable for business owners and their dwindling customers

Ted's Paperbacks and Coins owner Susan Raulin moved from her Leon Avenue
location last weekend. A lawyer's office is also moving out of the area,
joining Academy of Learning and La Bussola Italian restaurant as examples
of enterprises that have already moved. Those monitoring the situation in
the area bordered by Highway 97, Bernard Avenue, City Park and Richter say
there is a new, belligerent criminal element among the street people who
incite violence

The RCMP increased foot patrols in the area last summer and recently
received budget approval to hire seven new members. The street crime crew
will bolster the police presence downtown beginning in March

"We're just so frustrated. It seems as bad as ever. I don't know what city
council will do, but we'll go and see what they say," said Clark.