POSITIVE APPROACHES TO STREET PROBLEMS

The police desire for surveillance cameras and the obscene bylaw that
mandates the seizure of backpacks are signs of a society that prefers
suppressing symptoms of malaise by oppressing victims to tackling the
underlying problems.

To get people off the streets, the provincial government should
adequately fund services and housing for the mentally ill and
addicted and invest in affordable housing by financing individuals,
co-operatives and NGOs.

To bring the use of drugs under control, the federal government
should end the war on drugs and redirect the funds currently wasted
on enforcement to regulation, education and treatment. Otherwise,
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is not tough on crime, he's the Hells
Angels' best friend.

However, I do support many more police on foot patrols, day and
night. Their visible presence would deter crime, they could help
defuse conflicts before they escalate and provide assistance to
anyone requiring it.

The improvement in our civility, and security, would be worth it.

Elizabeth Woods,

Victoria.