Editor's note: This is a copy of a letter to Squamish's mayor and council. It was copied to The Chief for publication.
This email is to support a concrete police presence in the downtown. Squamish has lost its courthouse, which brought the RCMP more often into the downtown but now, with the Community Police Office still closed, it means the local criminals are having their way with downtown Squamish with greater ease and less endeavour. The Chief ("Bang for our buck," March 9) editorial is a clear indicator of the community mood on this subject. The crime stats map also demonstrates the crime locations - downtown.
Yes, the RCMP know who the bad guys are and could nab them, but to what avail? The courts are clogged and the type of crime is not at the Bacon Brothers' level, so the bad guys are almost immune to arrest and prosecution. So what is to be done? It seems to this writer that the valuable crime prevention programs hosted by the CP Office are a solid answer. A safe community is a valuable asset and the small-time criminals know that downtown Squamish is a safe place for them.
The cost of re-opening the CPO in light of all the budget costs is a question mark, but not if the question is, "Is it important to have a safer downtown?" The answer is quite easy. If not the existing building, then what other property downtown could be used? Is there a developer looking for a community amenity? Is there a cheaper Cleveland Avenue location? Are there organizations that could partner with DOS to fund/support the CPO? - Real Estate Board? Chamber of Commerce? Service Clubs? Is the highway traffic rebate funding not for such purposes?
I sense some immediate creative thinking might define an innovative answer to this question. Regardless, downtown Squamish needs to recapture its safe-zone environment for all current and newcomers who want to call the downtown home. Currently, the CPO is out of sight and out of mind. Please bring this decision back to the table.
Larry Murray
Chair, Sea to Sky Crime StoppersSquamish
