I am writing this petition as a concerned resident of Vancouver, B.C., who has witnessed the alarming decline in safety within our city. It is disheartening to witness the next generation growing up amidst an environment where open drug use has become normalized. Our streets, dog parks, school grounds, and playgrounds should be safe havens for us, our children, and our beloved pets.

Furthermore, it breaks my heart to share the numerous incidents involving pets in our city parks. Multiple dogs have tragically lost their lives or suffered from seizures due to exposure to drugs left behind by homeless individuals and addicts who frequent these areas. The presence of aggressive dogs being left unattended poses an additional threat to both pets and people.

A few months ago as I was walking my dogs in our neighbourhood park. We stumbled upon a group of individuals that had set up tents and were openly using drugs right next to the playground area. Shocked and concerned for my pet's safety as well as that of nearby children playing innocently on swings and slides, I realized that this situation was far from isolated. The current state of violence and the addiction crisis in Vancouver has reached alarming levels over the past year or so. It is time for us to take action collectively to restore safety within our community.

Just take a moment to reflect on a friends personal story. Recently, one evening while walking home after spending some time at the dog park, my friend was suddenly attacked by a group of individuals for no apparent reason. This horrifying experience left her traumatized and fearful for her safety within the very city we call home. There has been many incidents similar in the area, such as; Vancouver police received multiple reports of a man acting "aggressively" towards strangers on Sept. 19, including allegations he was chasing a woman and threatening to kill children, or a swarming attack on a "defenceless" man, or the 19 year old woman that had to endure a man following her into the lobby and having him attack her, or the woman that was followed down davie street and had to hide in a store to avoid the assailant. 

Petition Request:

We urge local authorities, including law enforcement agencies and municipal governments, to take immediate action towards making our city safe again for all residents – especially for our children and pets who are most vulnerable.

Specifically, we request:

1) Increased police presence: Deploy additional law enforcement officers strategically across high-risk areas within the city where homeless individuals tend to congregate.

2) Enhanced park surveillance: Install and maintain surveillance cameras in playground areas and in dog parks, to deter criminal activities and ensure the safety of our children and pets.

3) Comprehensive addiction and mental health support: Allocate resources towards proper addiction treatment programs, mental health services such as counselling and psychiatric treatment, employment programs, affordable housing initiatives, and improving wait times / the wait list period for accessing these resources to address the root causes of this crisis.

4) Community engagement: Foster partnerships between community organizations, local businesses, and residents to create safe spaces for recreational activities while actively addressing the challenges posed by addiction and mental illness.

5) Increase Public Awareness: Launch educational campaigns to raise awareness about personal safety, reporting suspicious activities, and the responsible disposal of drug paraphernalia.

By signing this petition, we stand together as a united community demanding immediate action. Let us reclaim our city's safety for ourselves, our children, and our beloved pets. Together we can make a difference!

Facts and Statistics:
1) According to a report published by the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCHA), drug overdose deaths reached an all-time high in 2020.
2) The VCHA also reported a significant increase in individuals experiencing homelessness with co-occurring mental health issues.
3) Local animal hospitals have seen a surge in emergency cases related to pet exposure to drugs such as opioids.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. - Tiffany Whitefield