Editor:
I wholeheartedly concur with letter writer Gary Tupper.
The blame (for crime downtown) does not lie with the New Westminster Police Department. Their hands are tied on account of the federal Liberal’s Bill C-75 and the inaction of the mayor's administration.
Police have effectively been neutered. As a 12-year resident of New Westminster, I have seen two changes happen. From a lawless city into a livable city - under former Mayor Wayne Wright - and now back to a lawless city. I've been assaulted by an individual who was attempting to sneak into our lobby to steal packages. I've been threatened by (people addicted to drugs) who brought their poison onto our strata property.
Bill C-75 - the so-called "catch and release" bill - has signalled to thugs everywhere that there are no consequences to their crimes. It's a free-for-all. Prolific criminals are running our streets. As citizens, it should be a human right to visit our parks or walk down the street without becoming concerned for our safety.
Vancouver is recording unprecedented random assaults on citizens who are simply going about their business. What truly bothers me is that there is no politician or leader who's speaking on behalf of us.
What I hear is "the problems are too complex with no easy solutions." My response? If your ideology can't find solutions that would return us to the safety we once had, then perhaps we need a pragmatic leader who isn't hamstrung by ideology.
A leader shrugging his shoulders and essentially admitting there's no solutions on the horizon isn't going to win my vote. The police board needs to be shaken up. Bill C-75 needs to be repealed. Many police chiefs across the nation are speaking out against this bill. Write your MP and mayors to have the bill repealed. If they won't listen. then cast your vote in the next election for change. Wayne Wright should step up and consider returning.
David Pearce, New Westminster
