Re: “Needled tire a symptom of tent-city woes: area resident,” July 10.
How quickly we forget the issues that arose from the tent city on the Victoria courthouse lawn; theft, violence, drugs, gangs, fire hazards and rats. Chrissy Brett is the same organizer, and the same advocates have their new project: a place of safety and community. Sure, ask the neighbours.
“Dan said the Regina Park tent city is a much safer place than the now-dismantled tent city on the lawn of the Victoria courthouse, which he said was a scary place.” Well, if Dan was at the courthouse tent city, and then was rehoused in Victoria, what happened there? Does he still have single-room occupancy accommodation somewhere?
I think Saanich learned nothing from the Victoria experience and is being taken for a ride.
For safety reasons, the city should know who is residing at the camp. People who have a home must go home. If there is an arrest warrant, pay the piper. Let’s get the truly homeless housed and those with mental-health and/or addiction issues assistance.
These are not quiet little protests, and public support wears out due to safety, remediation and cost issues. The choice to follow Victoria council’s do-nothing example will likely have people in Saanich looking for a new council, too.
Shelley Campbell
Victoria
