DRUG TRAFFICKERS ERODE SENSE OF SAFETY

Re: Top cop warned MLAs of criminal infiltration, Jan. 13

My family and I moved to Vancouver nine years ago. Out of the all the
cities in Canada, Vancouver was our choice. Why? It lacked the frantic
metropolitan flow of Toronto, but was sophisticated in its own way.
Some of the best ski hills in the world were only a couple of hours
away. Most importantly, it was a good and safe place to live.

Could I say the same thing today? No.

The rapid growth of organized crime only confirms my fears. Vancouver
is playing host to the Gold Rush of drugs. It comes as no surprise
that most crimes in B.C. are linked to drugs. As more drug traffickers
situate themselves in Vancouver, we see an increase in shootings,
stabbings and gang-related incidents. And if it is true that organized
crime has extended its reach into the government staff, the misuse of
power and the miscarriage of justice will follow. A bigger effort must
be made to prevent this.

I hope that one day soon I will see a city that resembles what I saw
in Vancouver nine years ago.

Vanessa Sung,

Vancouver