Editor, The News:
Re: Council looking at crime in core (The News, Aug. 29).
A few news reports I have read recently seem to contradict each other.
One article described how the RCMP had decided to prioritize their efforts to catch people driving while using electronic devices mainly cell phones.
Isn’t it nice that we live in a society where this activity can be the priority of our police force.
Unfortunately, this is far from true as outlined in the front page article of a recent issue where Coun. Robert
Masse brought up his and the concerns of many others with regards to prostitution and other anti-social activities in our core.
The apparent disregard of his concerns by the RCMP suggests they have a level of tolerance for such actions that until it is exceeded means, no action is required.
It would be interesting to know what this critical point is and who sets it.
It sure isn’t council.
The actions taken by council were also far from what should have taken place.
Having staff study the prostitution level in the core is a total waste of time and tax dollars.
The fact that it exists at all should be unacceptable.
The action that needs to be taken is for council to inform the RCMP that it has a zero tolerance for soliciting for the purpose of prostitution and that all offenders should be arrested, even for 24 hours.
If they are not able to make contact with Johns they will not make any money and will move to somewhere where they can.
Problem solved (for the core).
As far as staff, they should be directed to report back on the costs of alternative policing models, whether it be a municipal force or a detachment from an existing municipality that already has its own force.
For the millions of dollars we spend on policing, taxpayers expect and deserve better service than a force with its priorities determined by ICBC or some paper pusher in Ottawa.
Graham Mowatt
Maple Ridge
