FORMER COUNCILLOR INVITES GARR TO JOIN KVETCH CLUB

To the editor:

I truly sympathize with Allen Garr's call for "harm reduction" to help the
general public as well as the drug users ("Break-in proof of need for harm
reduction," Jan. 28).

We all feel badly for anyone who has suffered a traumatic experience of a
break-in and would like to find an effective way to deal with these
widespread property crimes. In Mr. Garr's case, an alarm system definitely
would have been helpful this time because during the break-in, one
neighbour was at the back and another was near the front of his house.
Hearing the sound of an alarm, they would have gone to check. In fact,
judging by the way the break-in occurred, it's evident that someone
probably knew ahead of time what he has in his house. My neighbours across
the lane always come over to see what is happening after hearing my alarm.
An alarm is a reasonable deterrent.

What else can we do to reduce crimes? On paper, we have the so-called "four
pillar approach." So far, we are only doing a small part of one
pillar-"harm reduction." It is a well-established concept that harm
reduction is a two-way street. Hence, during my six years as a city
councillor, I repeatedly stressed that we want to help the drug addicts the
best we can, but we must also create a safe and vibrant community for all
those law-abiding residents, merchants and tourists to enjoy their daily
life. Partly because of my fair-minded, middle-of-the-road approach in
seeking a proper balance to deal with the ongoing drug problems in the
Downtown Eastside, Mr. Garr often called me Don "the Kvetch" Lee. Now Mr.
Garr can join my club as Allen "A Kvetch Follower" to air a bit of his
complaint. According to a Chinese saying, it is easier to reshape mountains
and rivers than to change a person's fixed attitude. However, I do hope
this unfortunate personal experience Mr. Garr has encountered may lead him
to have a more balanced outlook.

Don Lee,
Vancouver