New Westminster resident Carmen Dunn appeared on CKNW’s Mike Smyth Show yesterday to talk about her recent experience with crime and public disorder on our streets. In response, New West City Councillor Daniel Fontaine was asked to appear on the show today.
A number of New West residents called in to the show to express their dismay and concern over City Council’s handling of the crime and safety issue. One caller named Jared who owned a business in downtown New Westminster pointed part of the blame on Community First Mayor Patrick Johnstone.
What I’m seeing now is really upsetting. It’s scary. I don’t want my family coming down on a weekend to have lunch with me…I think the Mayor is a big problem right now…if you go onto Front Street there is open drug use. There is people going to the bathroom in the streets right now probably. I’ve called 911 for multiple fires…open drug use, fighting…I had a guy come in my shop with a mask on…and he had a 12 inch knife tucked in his belt…it’s not a safe feeling when you have that around your neighbourhood.
Another caller named Jake who has lived in New West for 20 years told Smyth:
I live in the Quay and basically I’m seeing a huge decay…of what’s going on in Uptown, in Downtown and in the Quay…bottom line is I have two teenage kids and I don’t like them travelling in the evening by SkyTrain and walking toward our apartment on the waterfront
To listen to the interview click on the link below: