READERS THINK THERE ARE WORSE CRIMES THAN SELLING A BIT OF POT

Without putting too fine a point on it, what are the people in charge
of the city smoking?

It's 9:30 p.m., Sept. 9. I just detoured around a police circus on
Commercial Drive. I saw at least 12 police vehicles (ranging from
motorcycles to a portable generator on a trailer) and double that
number of officers milling about. From what I gather from the radio
news, they were all there to celebrate the closing of a pot store that
has been operating openly for months.

That this is a waste of police resources seems obvious. How many
uniforms would it really take to load up a van and spread a few
summonses around in the absence of television cameras? In the context
of my recent experience, though, it's nothing short of maddening.

One week ago, there were no police to be found in the same
neighbourhood while the crackheads shattered my car window and tore my
dash apart to get at my stereo. Fair enough -- there's a lot of
territory to cover, and only so many officers.

Next day, though, when I reported the theft (the second in less than
two months) and property damage, along with the fact that the thieves
left crystal-sharp fingerprints all over the window, an operator
informed me that no one would investigate. Ever. End of story. "Tough
luck about your stereo, dude. Got any doughnuts?"

Do I need to belabour the obvious? Who is involved in this pathetic
mismanagement of Vancouver's resources? Prancing around for the TV
cameras does absolutely nothing. Patrolling and investigating real,
harmful crimes would make the city a better place.

Gord Smedley

Vancouver