ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: Victoria Street West merchants are right to be concerned

Jun 3, 2020 | 4:45 AM

KAMLOOPS — VICTORIA STREET WEST business owners are understandably concerned about a dramatic uptick in crime in recent months.

They report frequent break-ins, theft, vandalism, destruction of property, and discarded needles. After a year of reconstruction work on the street that made access to businesses a challenge, then the COVID-19 pandemic and now the crime problem, they’re struggling.

Mayor Ken Christian puts the onus on the businesses to upgrade their security systems.

The pandemic is blamed for some of the problem, with criminals being released early and panhandling opportunities reduced. The addition of the Rosethorn House supportive housing apartment is suspected as a contributor. Not the only cause, but part of it.

Victoria Street West is experiencing exactly the same issue as the Tranquille Road corridor did almost 20 years ago. Social services agencies were becoming concentrated there, and when a social housing project was proposed for McKenzie Avenue, the neighbourhood put its foot down.

City council worked with the proponent to find an alternative location on Halston Avenue, where the Victory Inn has operated in harmony ever since.

Victoria Street West is now home to the Emerald Centre, Rosethorn House, the Mustard Seed and, not far away, Mission Flats Manor.

The impact on those who live and work nearby isn’t always adequately considered when social housing in built. A prevalent attitude is captured in a tone-deaf statement from the Ontario Human Rights Commission that could apply anywhere: “The bottom line is that people do not have the right to choose their neighbour.”

Well, they should have. Public consultation on Rosethorn and the new Spero House complex on Tranquille Road was lauded early on as outstanding, yet Victoria Street West would seem to be now paying a price.

Let’s be clear —everyone deserves good shelter. We should never jump to conclusions about the folks who live in social housing. We must expand social housing but success depends heavily on location, location, location. It’s something City Hall needs to keep in sharp focus in future.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.

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