ROTHENBURGER: What to do about certain people who ‘hang out’ in public spaces

At the main branch of the library and the art gallery, the plaza at the entrance became a favourite hangout for street people and those scoring drugs. A partial answer was to play loud classical music. The reconstruction of the entrance, reducing outdoor space, has also helped.

Washrooms at public buildings, cafes and coffee shops require constant vigil because of the disgusting things some people from off the street do in them.

Whether it be public buildings, public parks and now even public access, they can’t simply be designed according to what looks and works the best. They have to minimize inappropriate behaviour.

Let’s be clear in saying the homeless and the addicted and the unstable need to be cared for. They’re human beings.

If we could end poverty, properly house all street people, help every addict kick their addictions, and return them to what we consider the mainstream, we could reclaim our public spaces the way they were meant to be.

That’s not going to happen any time soon. So, in the meantime, we tear down staircases and haul away benches.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and newspaper editor. He 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.

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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.

by Mel Rothenburger

ROTHENBURGER: What to do about certain people who ‘hang out’ in public spaces

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