Recently, the communities surrounding Capilano mall have experienced a significant increase in crime and overt drug use. After the Homeward Trust supportive housing project commenced operations in Terrace Heights, members of the community began to notice increased foot traffic in the area accompanied by general disorder, loitering, and drug use. Unfortunately the planners of this development erected the complex adjacent to a youth skate park, which is now underused as a result of many parents not allowing their children to go there because of safety concerns. We were dismayed to learn that the operators of the Terrace Heights Homeward Trust housing have been offering supplies and support to non-residents of the building. This information has been substantiated by city councillor Ashley Salvador.

The observed trends have become increasingly worse this year and residents report the following:

� Thefts and break-ins of automobiles and buildings on private property

� Repeated and blatant acts of shoplifting and verbal harassment of retail customers

� An increase of drug use and drug paraphernalia littering private and public property

� Defecation on public property

� Congregating of individuals outside businesses creating unsafe spaces for retail customers

It is commonplace to view open air drug use in or near the Capilano transit centre, on the mall property overall, and surrounding community. Store owners have reported increased thefts, garbage (including used drug paraphernalia) and vandalism (e.g. broken store front windows). Residents feel unsafe and have expressed a reluctance to use the mall or the transit centre even during daytime hours. In spite of concerns for their safety, low income individuals, students, and seniors have no option but to rely upon ETS public transport. St. Nicholas seniors’ home (5619-98 Avenue) is directly across from the transit centre and the elderly residents are highly vulnerable and live in fear as substance users openly display unstable and erratic behaviour which has resulted in the police being called on multiple occasions.

In the evenings after sunset the transit shelters are being used as gathering places where drug users meet to openly consume drugs in plain sight, and to the discomfort, of transit goers and community members. Many of these users then disperse into the communities often to commit crime to fund their habit. Neighbourhoods like Ottewell, Fulton Place, Gold Bar, as well as Forest and Terrace Heights have experienced a sharp increase in crime and it should be noted that most of these community residents are seniors or young families as the neighbourhood undergoes revitalization. Residents have reported unknown individuals trespassing in their backyards in broad daylight looking for items to steal, or checking for unlocked car doors and garage entrances. Residents are afraid to confront these individuals for fear they may be in possession of weapons or under the influence of drugs. Recently an individual was recorded in an Ottewell alley checking back gates at six o’clock in the morning while brandishing a knife and a corkscrew. This is the time when many of the senior residents walk their dogs or go for their morning walks. Recently, an individual was found hiding near a hot tub on private property after he had robbed a neighbourhood liquor store. Police tracked the individual with the help of residents in the area who were motivated by anger and frustration over the frequent lawlessness. A resident of the Terrace Heights community, out walking his dog, was attacked by a man wielding a machete which resulted in the victim sustaining life threatening injuries.

We are starting this petition because we:

� have experienced increases in crime at almost a daily rate

� fear for our safety in our own homes, schoolyards, parks and community

� have witnessed Capilano Mall become a staging area for drug use, crime and disorder

� are reluctant to go to the mall and area businesses for fear we may be accosted by people openly using drugs or demanding money

� have concerns that local retailers may close shop and move from the neighbourhood -- already individuals are opting to shop in Sherwood Park and other communities

� are forced to lock gates, secure items and install security systems and cameras on our property

� have stood by as encampments sprang up in the green spaces of our neighbourhood and were then left with garbage, needles, drug paraphernalia and stolen items after the campers moved on from the area.

� request that shop owners and store managers take appropriate measures to increase security within the mall property to ensure shoppers feel safe and secure while supporting the retailers in the complex. If these issues are not addressed in a timely manner Capilano Mall retailers may continue to lose many of their long time customers.

For these reasons mentioned above, we the undersigned request a stronger and more consistent police presence, as well as increased civilian security resources, for an indefinite period of time in order to curb the drug use, crime, and disorder in the retail complex proper and in the surrounding neighbourhoods. An increased police and security presence must be apparent in order to send a message that criminal activity will not be tolerated.

It is time for we the tax paying residents of our community take back our neighbourhood so that the vulnerable -- our children and our elders -- feel safe and secure.