Category Archives: The Issues

Homeless, Municipal

Re: Comment sent to me on Water and Shade

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I would draw your attention to the portion of the letter you quoted from my article, specifically the words “or to solve property crime”. The crimes you enumerate all fall under the term property crimes, with my words clearly demonstrating that I fully support the local police in pursuing the perpetrators of these crimes. Having experienced the theft of property from my family I know just how frustrating it is that the police currently seem to have no interest or expectation of prosecuting these criminals.

I would also draw your attention to an earlier article on the web site: Crime Wave coming to your Neighbourhood (November 2005). I believe that anyone who reads this can clearly see I have no illusions about the honesty of some of the homeless or about just what power an addiction has and what it can drive the addict to do in order to satisfy his addiction. I would go on to say that as the homeless are human beings I harbour no delusions about what they will do in order to survive – just as I harbour no fantasies about the behaviours (or lack thereof) the ordinary citizen would take should their survival be at stake.

I feel the need to comment that you need to consider your own closing words “but take a look and you’ll see they live among you too.” To often those who choose to cite the argument that the homeless are thieves fail to accept that there are many more criminals who are living among them – those with homes. If you were to round up all the criminals in this city you would find that the vast majority were members of the “Homed”. As the homeless are a very small percentage of the overall population, they cannot constitute more than a small percentage of the thieves in this city. In particular I wish to address the issue of metal/recycling theft. I am well aware of the involvement of some of the homeless in minor thefts to sell the metals. The reason I say minor is only because the homeless lack the resources (transportation, cutting tools, storage) to commit the large thefts one hears about. You need to look to those who live among you.

I admit to being annoyed by this argument, not because I do not see the crooks who are part of the homeless population but because it is so often use to deny or ignore those among the homeless that need help. On the other hand I like to point out that what crime costs society makes it far cheaper and more sensible to pay for programs to address issues of addiction and homelessness, than it is to use the police, courts and incarceration to deal with these same people. I will be posting an article about the mayors of many US cities planning to stamp out homelessness because they have been doing cost/benefit studies that clearly show/demonstrate it is far cheaper to avoid involving the legal and medical systems to deal with the homeless.

The final point I want to raise is that “the senseless pursuit of the homeless” has nothing to do with arresting criminals. The police ventured into the homeless camp (Compassion Park) to arrest a specific person for a specific crime. There were those who claimed they should not have done so and called upon me to write to the papers, the website and others condemning this “invasion”. I publicly took the position that it was a perfectly reasonable action for the police to take. They had specific charges about a specific person concerning a specific crime. I have absolutely no problem with that type of action. The senselessness of which I am speaking is such things as forcing the homeless to stop “loitering” under shade on days with a blazing sun, move along under the sun getting sunburned and chancing heatstroke; when they wake someone 10 times to get them to move from where they are sleeping on the streets during the night (yes it is unsightly but what is the point when there is no place else for them to go – if you want them off the streets you need to provide the alternative); ignoring a neatly dressed homeless person to search a poorly dressed/groomed homeless person; searching the homeless for stolen goods but not searching those who have homes when statistically most of the crime is committed by those with homes; chasing the homeless and addicted for petty crimes and letting major crimes go unsolved. There are many, many more instances I could cite were the police treatment and behaviour towards the homeless, would be considered persecution if it were aimed at any other group such as East Indians or those of African decent.

Harass: 1) to irritate or torment persistently; 2) to wear out; exhaust; 3) to impede and exhaust (an enemy) by repeated attacks or raids. This is the way the police treat the homeless, except those of us who they cannot identify by merely looking at us – and that is unacceptable behaviour. If they spent as much time on property crimes as they currently do on harassing the homeless, not only would they solve the crimes committed but they would undoubtedly get a reduction in property crimes from deterrence.

The point is that this behaviour towards the homeless community is a waste of police resources that could better be used elsewhere. Again, I would argue that this issue is best – most effectively, efficiently and in terms of the best return (results) for the money invested (cost) – addressed as a social issue and treated in a proactive manner. The Chief Financial Officer, businessman and auditor in me feel appalled by the waste and failure to accomplish anything, often making things worse, I witness in the current systems. Cost/benefit analysis would suggest that we can either change our actions to achieve results or we can go on wasting resources and accept all the costs (crime, homelessness, youth on the streets, etc) we currently accumulate while accomplishing nothing. Choose.

Should you desire to stop wasting your tax dollars do you have any ideas and/or a willingness to be part of the solution?

Copy of the e-mail:

“This senseless pursuit of the homeless is undoubtedly cooler and far easier than getting off their Asses and out of their air-conditioned vehicle in seeking out gang activity or to solve property crimes. Earn the wages by the sweat of their brow? You must be kidding…” Take the opportunity to look around at the homeless of Abbotsford and determine how many of them are criminals. Whether or not they are new to the world of crime or are veterans in stealing and robbing, makes NO difference whether or not they have a home. Look at your brothers and sisters in the tent city and know that some were criminals before they were homeless. Know that each and every night that some of them are out committing crimes against people and property on a regular basis. And know that the police are pursuing, tracking and arresting criminals regardless of there socio-economic status. When the police respond to an armed robbery, a car theft, a break and enter or a shoplifting call; they do not prioritize their response based on whether the perpetrator has an address of not. Know that when crime occurs, the police will do their job to apprehend the offenders. People involved in committing crime come from all walks of life. Whether the impaired driver is a businessman drunk after a few too many or some cracked-out thief who lives on the street makes little difference to the police officer who is putting his or her personal safety in harms way so that they may protect society. Look at the homeless men and women who display a considerable effort every night they go out to steal scrap metal from homes and businesses around Abbotsford. No, I’m not talking the binners or dumpster divers who collect cans or bottles. I’m talking about the hardcore thieves who steal metal to sell so they can buy drugs or whatever. I dare say that if those poors souls could dedicate that much energy to theft and scamming, they could seriously put forth a good effort at a wage-earning legitimate job. That however, would entail being responsible, punctual, sober and honest. Don’t get me wrong…I know that not all homeless are criminals. But a good number of them turn to theft, robbery, break and enters and numerous other crimes. I realize that some homeless have physical disabilities, mental health issues, medical problems and addictions. There are many that suffer in the same way all over the world. If the police respond to an assault call, do you think they will walk away from arresting and charging the assailant if the victim is homeless? No way. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to say all homeless are criminals, but take a look and you’ll see that they live among you too.

Municipal

Re: Lynne Ganske’s, city employee, letter

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So Ms Ganske feels the citizens of Abbotsford should be delighted that they do not have to pay bribes to get things done? Interesting attitude. However, I do believe that one could make a very strong, cognizant argument that the extravagant wage rates paid city workers in fact represent a bribe. Although many forced to deal with the city bureaucracy may well prefer a system of direct payment of bribes in the belief that this would increase the probability of getting things done.

Ms Ganske speaks of “not uncommon to skip their coffee break or even their lunch hour”. Based on any of the reports of interacting with city workers I have every heard this sounds like an Urban Myth. Which like the tale of the purchase of a new, mint condition corvette in which someone had died for only $300, has a bad odour about it. Perhaps the problem lies in a misperception. The idea behind “keep this burgeoning city functioning smoothly” is that it should function smoothly for the consumers of city services – the taxpayers – not the people who are SUPPOSE to deliver those services.

Ms Ganske states “If we were in tough times”. I guess if you are being paid excessively rich wages and are demanding these wages continue their spiral into the stratosphere the enormous tax rate increases imposed this year and threat of onerous tax rate increases in future do not represent a burden or “tough times”.

The truly repugnant and extremely disturbing statements are “Taxpayers dollars are spent on every imaginable luxury” and “we freely spend on superfluous items”. Does Ms Ganske find these practices outrageous? No, she just calls for “taking care of our municipal workers” on behalf of herself and her fellow employees. There is no suggestion of reforming these unacceptable behaviours; rather Ms Ganske appears only to be concerned with getting a piece of the pork barrel at the expense of the poor, over taxed citizens of the city.

I do certainly agree that Ms Ganske is correct to suggest that “It is time to stop taking a good thing for granted”. Ms Ganske obviously has lost any appreciation for the job security and wasteful city employee wage levels.

It would be satisfying to suggest replacing the current staff so that they could experience time in the real world and perhaps learn something about hard work and delivering value for money in EARNING ones wages. Regretfully this is an impractical idea. Nonetheless her statements make it clear that what is desperately needed at City Hall is not more squandering of taxpayer money but a massive Attitude Adjustment for the entire bureaucratic structure. Clearly the employee change this city has a dire need for is new management to set a clear example and embark on a new path; to demand and spread, from the top to the bottom of our city civil servants, a new attitude of service, a strong work ethic, imaginative planning and development, consideration of the needs of all citizens and solid, frugal financial management of taxpayer dollars.

Consider, Municipal

Follow Up is so IMPORTANT because …

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… it works. I was standing there enjoying the coolness and peace of the early morning contemplating the artist Paul Gaugain’s statement “I shut my eyes in order to see” when the peace of the morning was shattered by the arrival of a long legged, leather clad, Harley riding lady I know. She told me “I loved your letter, BUT … you need to write one about Christina.” With closed eyes I watched the story take shape in my mind’s eye, the words flowing down my arms and onto the page. For she was correct it is a story that contains many lessons that need to be thought about, on many different levels, when looking at the issue of helping the homeless.

The story begins before Abbotsford had a homeless problem that needed to be faced and issues of homelessness addressed – you know, late summer/early fall of last year (2005). It began with the closing of the Fraser Valley Inn. Yes, there were reasons for the City’s actions in closing the Inn, but in pursuing this course of action the City failed to consider the consequences of closing the Inn on the residents. Worse, the city refused to accept responsibility for its actions or to discharge the duty of care it owed to these Abbotsford citizens for the effect its actions would have on their lives. At a point in time where the City was wilfully denying the existence of homeless in abbotsford, its actions were putting several dozen people on the streets of the city – homeless. At least half of the people thrown onto the streets that pitiless day currently remain without home to provide shelter from the weather. Among those displaced person’s was a woman who possessed five decades worth of life experience who, through the thoughtless actions of others, was about to gain the entirely unwanted, unsought experience of living homeless. There was a cute picture of her in a flowered hat and with her dog in a local paper, along with a “lite” story on the closing of the Inn and the fact that many of these people were without shelter as a result of the City’s actions. It did, and still does bother me, that no one seemed to spare a thought to these people’s fate. That none bothered to follow up to see what had happened to these people and to call the City to account for failing to act in an ethical manner.

Christina was thus to find herself on the streets of Abbotsford as the seasons turned to winter and the weather to a threat to life, unable to find the help needed to find a place to shelter – a home. Her home, her shelter against the elements became a tent pitched in a patch of woods or brush somewhere within the City. Some of these “homes” were actual tents donated from good samaritans, some were “tents” constructed from tarps or plastic sheeting. While all these shelters’ where inadequate dwellings for a human being, they permitted survival, keeping Christina alive. Sharp readers are correct; she went through numerous “homes”. Because, even as the City was in “see no homeless, hear not of the homeless, speak of no homeless” denial of reality mode, their enforcement officers where chasing Christina, and other homeless, out of their meagre shelter and placing them at the mercy of weather conditions. I am sure that even Christina lost count of just how many times she was driven into the deluge that fell last winter. It was hearing that once again the City, through its enforcers, was intending to harass Christina and drive her out of what poor shelter she had that led me to start to writing and protesting the senselessness, the pointlessness of this
behaviour.

This idiocy had previously occurred FIVE times to Christina. The compassionate citizens of Abbotsford giveth and the pitiless City taketh – everything: food, her shelter from the cold winter rains, warm, dry clothing and horded personal treasures with all their attached memories of life before she was reduced to depending on callous governments for survival. Caring city citizens donated items to their fellow citizens in dire need and their City, with callous disregard for the consequences to the homeless, turned their generosity into garbage. At the end of their fifth visit they also left the items they ruined littered about the floor of the woods, creating a massive eyesore. I am sure someone who is all knowing, but totally lacking any appreciation or experience with the hurdles faced by the homeless, about these “drug using, trouble causing bums” will essay that all Christina had to do was take her stuff with her. These same experts also appear to think that chasing the homeless from spot to spot around the city, when they have nowhere to in fact go, will accomplish something besides a total waste of the City’s resources. The donations of the generous souls of our city, while making an invaluable contributing to the survival and quality of life of the homeless, can also give rise to the dreaded “Shopping Cart Syndrome”. With no storage the homeless must carry their belongings with them or risk losing them. One can become as loaded as the proverbial pack mule, force to use the clichéd shopping cart to transport your belongings. I will not dwell upon, merely bring to the readers attention, just how lacking in panache hauling a shopping cart is for those of use with refined sensibilities.

It was following one of the destructive visits by city enforcers that Christina and other members of the homeless community sought shelter form the winter weather in an unoccupied building. It was here that tragedy struck. Forced to use open flame sources for warmth and cooking, fire is an ever present danger for the homeless. The building burned and Christina’s constant companion and friend, her small dog Buster, was killed. There is a group of school children who visit the Salvation Army Café, who knew Christina and felt her sadness. These kind souls gave her a little stuffed dog and an invitation to attend their Christmas concert, a concert Christina enjoyed greatly – almost as much as she appreciated the care and thoughtfulness of these young students. The great irony here is that if local or provincial governments were treating animals like Buster the same way they treat the marginalized and homeless they would be arrested and someone found to treat the animals with proper care. Unluckily for the homeless they are human beings and thus subject to what ever cruel treatment government chooses to inflict upon their bodies and spirits.

Abbotsford, like an ostrich, insisted on keeping its head buried so that it could avoid seeing the reality of its homeless citizens. Then CBC news reporter Belle Puri as part of the story about www.homelessinabbotsford.com, perhaps the only website in the entire world designed, built, written and maintained by a homeless person, approached the Mayor with questions about the homeless of the City of Abbotsford and why nothing was being done to address the issues associated with this growing need.

Mayor George Ferguson chose to LOOK, forcing many others to begin to see and think about the questions homelessness raises. The Mayor also chose to call a time-out in chasing the homeless around, and around, and around, and around the city, in order to give at least some thought to what would be an effective course of action. While this pause only spanned a period of six weeks, it did serve to make people aware of the issues and began a dialogue in the community on what needs doing. One can only hope that over time this dialogue will prove to be a case where actions speak louder than words. I feel that trying to put a label of successful or unsuccessful on the experience with “Camp Compassion” would be as pointless as chasing the homeless from spot to spot within the city. The value of the Camp lies in the lessons to be learned, several of value which can be learned from continuing with Christina’s tale.

For it was in that patch of woods that Christina had sought shelter. At the time that the “Camp” was birthed, Christina was among the longest residents of that particular patch of woods. For her, Mayor Ferguson’s time-out was the equivalent of a stay of execution as at that time she was once again being threatened and/or forced to move along. Although no-one would or could say exactly where it was she should move to. At any rate, just before the axe was due to fall the residents received a reprieve. During this period the Salvation Army received funding to experiment with “outreach workers”. When old ways of dealing or NOT-dealing with a problem have no useful outcomes it is time to seek new ideas and be willing to experiment in seeking positive outcomes. Understand that it was not that Christina had not been seeking a place to live, rather that it is much harder than most people appreciate for the homeless to find a place to rent even if they can overcome the barrier of the $325.00 shelter allowance. I also want to take the opportunity to make note of the fact that in an effort to help herself, Christina had taken and completed the Triangle Resources woman’s W.R.I.T.E. program to help her regain independence through employment.

It was a struggle against time for Christina to find a place to live within the six week window of opportunity she had. Her success was due to Z, an outreach worker with whom she formed a bond and whose help in finding a place, access to a phone, making the needed calls, getting to the building to view it and meet with those responsible for the building, getting references together for the rental application and many other small but needed tasks. Without Z Christina would be among those she now hears speaking of the police once again chasing the homeless from spot to spot. Importantly Z’s involvement with Christina was to continue. The ladies of Z’s church would help Christina with moving in a acquiring all the many things (dishes, pots, pans, toiletries, a bed etc) one requires to live inside. Christina had a friend to help her through the difficult transition from the outside to the inside. Believe me, that transition is far tougher than someone who has never had to make it (be extremely grateful for that grace) could understand. All the times you need to say NO in order that you do not slip back into bad habits and back out onto the streets. Having someone or somewhere to turn inn order to get through these weeks (or months) is imperative. Then it was time for Z to help Christina with employment. Christina is currently at “Above the Underground” an opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in the retail store sector. Z is there to help her get to work, provide positive feedback and support through the difficult times. Someone who is in for the long haul, who appreciates this process is not fast or easy, but is there to help you overcome the barriers. This need for a long term commitment, to constantly following up, to maintaining contact and support, for flexibility in the support services provided, the need for many varied types of help, the need for a case worker approach and the importance of this constant, continuing follow-up are some of the lessons to be learned. Perhaps one of the most important things to be learned is that we can help the homeless. It may need to be one at a time; it may well require individual programs; it may need to be one-on-one; it may require a large investment of time; we need to be proactive; it will require the support of the community. But we can do it what we need is the Will.

Christina is a work in progress, but them so are we all. With the help and support of people around her Christina is moving forward and getting on with life. Which is a success story by any measuring stick you chose to use.

Homeless, Municipal

Leadership, Leadership, where for art thou Leadership.

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While it was a refreshing change to finally have heard our City government recognize that Abbotsford has a homeless quandary, they now appear to regret this admission. With the serving of notice, the eviction of the homeless camping in “Compassion Park” and subsequent public statements, there is a dishearteningly familiar sound of the old song and dance performed by the City regarding homelessness, poverty and other social issues. Given that they are moving forward with forming a council advisory committee responsible for addressing social concerns and matters such as the homeless, I expect them to fall back upon that old refrain “we cannot act until we get a committee report – no matter that the situation and need is such that procrastination puts lives at risk. This brings two pictures to mind, first the image of a camel – a horse designed by a committee and secondly, the image of Nero fiddling while Rome burns.

Fiddling around twiddling ones thumbs accomplished nothing, except to allow the situation to worsen and grow. There has been more than enough banal lip service and prevarication on these pressing social issues. Provide some leadership or at least be responsible enough to stop stalling, admit to a lack of any notion of how to proceed, listen to ideas and adopt a policy of not raising barriers but to help efforts by others in the community to address and meet portions of the need.

What is really needed here is Leadership. Take note that Leadership does not involve sitting around ignoring reality, hoping for some kind of miracle or waiting to see which way the people want to head then running to get to the front and an appearance of leadership. Leadership involves having a vision, working to build co-operation and consensus regarding what we want to achieve, A willingness to focus on what we can do, on solutions rather than what we cannot do or how large and complex the problem is. Instead of whining about the responsibility of the Federal and Provincial governments or others, you tell them what you are going to do and what you need them to do. Providing direction to get the citizens of Abbotsford involved in generating ideas, plans and actions, then participating in addressing the needs of their less fortunate fellow citizens. Leading a wide open, far ranging discussion in order to give rise to a compelling vision of how and what we want our community to be. Co-operating and working to contribute to the creation of a community wide movement for change. It is time to accept the challenge, to take action and make our City a vibrant community.

Municipal

This City needs some sense of proper priorities.

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One can only wonder were exactly the heads of our local politicians are buried with reference to their proposed capital projects. A sports/entertainment center, another recreation/community center and a museum/art gallery. Do not get me wrong; these are all facilities that our city can use. In fact, it is only because our local government has demonstrated an inability to properly plan and manage growth and development that these facilities do not currently exist. Which means they will be built at a cost millions of dollars higher than it would have cost with a well thought-out and managed capital building plan.

I would love to see a properly designed multi-use pool built in the city as part of a recreation/community centre. Of course with the city’s track record on building capital projects the citizens are not very likely to get either a well designed venue or good cost management, maximizing our bang for the buck, on any city (mis)managed project. However I have a sense of priorities. When you choose to proceed with only 3 projects, you have to set priorities, not just choosing popular projects. Excuse me, I should say that it should mean not just going with popularity as the way of choosing projects to proceed with. Unfortunately it appears that the city has done this.

As much as I would wish for a new pool, I can see more important needs. The old library in downtown Abbotsford desperately needs replacement. Not only is it inadequate in size, but when the staff warns users not to plug in their laptops because the electrical system cannot be trusted not to fry them – it is time to replace the building. A library may not be a “sexy” project but for students, people needing access to the internet, research, literacy programs, encouraging young people to read and supporting the general public in reading it is a priority. A new library is long overdue.

Perhaps it is that because any new library would fall under the Fraser Valley Regional Library that it lacked any champions at City Hall to point out that a library should be a priority. Or perhaps it is just that those in parks, recreation and culture were much better at political infighting – since all three projects fall under their control. What is clear is that there should have been public discussion and debate about our city’s priorities before any decision on which three projects the city should proceed with, since it is clear from their three choices that neither city management or our elected local politicians have any sense of proper priorities for our City. Of course this would have required leadership and vision, qualities that seem non-existent in our local government on a wide range of social, development, growth and capital projects issues.