NELSON PARK NEEDLE PROBLEM A POLICE MATTER

To the editor:

Re: "Used needle bins not appropriate for Nelson Park," Jan. 15.

I am getting more and more frustrated with our passive solutions to needle
users, whether it's in the West End or the proposed $1-million centre in
the Downtown Eastside.

Last time I checked, possession of heroin was against the law. Instead of
placing needle holders in the park for the convenience of these people, why
in heaven's name can we not enforce the fact that they are not supposed to
be there in the first place?

I am not aware of any ongoing police presence in the park. However, I have
seen them constantly driving up and down Davie Street in their comfy cars,
and on one occasion, I observed two female officers harassing an elderly
street vendor by taking him down with a series of commando holds because he
apparently didn't comply on time. Now that's police presence for you!

Recently, a survey was published that stated our police cruisers are
responding to an average of 1.1 calls per shift. What are they doing the
rest of the time?

American urban police forces are averaging over 7.5 calls per shift.
Perhaps it is time to park about half of these cruisers and put the police
back on the street, including Nelson Park.

The situation is getting ridiculous. I can't travel two blocks without
being hassled by street people looking for money, etc. And meanwhile, the
police station on Main Street and some other locations around the city are
actually closing down at night, inaccessible for any reason to the public.
I guess we'll eventually be fighting crime by ourselves.

Paul Davey, Vancouver