VANCOUVER HAS TO CLEAN UP BEFORE THE OLYMPICS

My family and I recently visited Vancouver as part of our summer
vacation. We were impressed with the city's cleanliness, friendly
people, the beauty of the landscape and the interesting architecture
that reminded us of Miami.

What shocked us, however, was the over-abundance of panhandlers and
homeless people. People walked right up to us in Gastown and demanded
money while we were shopping for souvenirs. I had to tell one guy who
was wearing only black shorts and was barefoot to leave us alone
after I had already given him all the change in my pocket. Restaurant
owners even had their staff telling the panhandlers to leave patrons
alone. Downtown, there were lots of drug addicts shooting up and
people smoking marijuana in the parks as early as 10 a.m.

Where are the social workers? Where are the police? If Vancouver
expects to play host to an international event such as the 2010
Olympics, drawing tourists from all around the world, it had better
hurry up and clean up its act.

Allan Sonac

Montreal, Que.