GROWING PAINS ARE REALLY STARTING TO HURT

This past week served as a graphic and sobering reminder that the Border
City is quickly beginning to gain some big city problems.

Lloydminster Meridian Booster -- This past week served as a graphic and
sobering reminder that the Border City is quickly beginning to gain some
big city problems.

In a matter of just a few days a young girl visiting our city was sexually
assaulted while out walking her dog in the city's north end, and over this
past weekend police raided a home where they found drugs, cash, and most
alarming of all a stash of weapons including a large calibre handgun.

These are the kind of crimes that let us all know what has been inevitable
for a long time -- the city is beginning to experience the dark side of growth.

Most of us -- some more than others -- are reaping the benefits of a
growing and wealthy community, but there is always a price to pay.

For the most part we have been lucky as a community. Violent crimes -- at
least the more serious ones -- haven't been a big issue in Lloydminster,
and random attacks on children were all but unheard of. Until recently that is.

It is difficult for parents to hear that a child has been sexually
assaulted, it is difficult to even bear the thought. And no neighbourhood
wants to have a drug house setting up shop in the same block as
hard-working families.

But that is the new reality. That is life in a city. But it doesn't have to be.

We are still only beginning to make our transition into a larger city, and
actions we take now could make an impact down the road.

Watch your children, watch your neighbourhood -- tell the police if there
is a suspected drug house in your neighbourhood. Don't take our small-town
feel for granted. We are more than 22,000 strong, and the bad guys don't
stand a chance if we all really do our part to let them know they don't
belong, and aren't welcome.