To the editor,
I have loved downtown my whole life and I still do. I want it back. I want it back so badly.
I was born and raised here as was my whole family. My favourite thing to do is walk the waterfront – but now I’m scared to unless it’s daylight and I’m in a group. This is not right.
Now when I go downtown for work especially I have to pay to park in a lot that I have to dodge stepping on needles, used condoms, people’s clothes, shopping carts, burned up tin foil, human feces, used Narcan containers, as well as people sleeping. That’s not fair. Not fair to any involved. We walk up to the library past the grassy knoll full of people, shopping carts, copious amounts of garbage and belongings. And another needle next to our entrance. We pass by men screaming obscenities; we are asked for money over and over. We pass by a man in a tree screaming expletives at every passerby. We walk and we watch people just wander into the streets, not even looking, narrowly missing getting hit by vehicles. When is something going to change? Maybe if the ratio of RCMP was closer to the ratio of people who need mental health help and who are addicted to drugs.
I want my home back. I want my pride back. I want my joy back. Most importantly, I want my city back. Why is no one doing anything? Help us please.
Jennifer Harley, Nanaimo
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