Downtown crime sparks frustration

LAND OWNER SAYS FUTURE OF CITY CORE MAY BE GRIM

Another downtown land owner has come forward to express frustration over the amount of crime and drug use in the city’s core.

“The future for downtown Lethbridge is grim if this continues,” Mike Vercillo told the Lethbridge Police Commission last week.

Vercillo came forward during the public inquiry portion of the meeting and identified himself as a multiple property owner in the downtown area.

He told the Commission the experience of owning property in the core has been getting “exponentially worse” in recent years.

“I think you heard some crime statistics on the downtown core (earlier in the meeting),” he said. “I’m here to put a face to its effects.”

He said in the past five years, he has experienced increasing issues involving vagrancy, trespassing, and drug use, to the point where he has undertaken personal risk when dealing with them.

“I’ve had to build fences, replace windows, clean vomit, excrement, urine — you name it, it’s been there,” he said.

He said in many cases, police are not called. He noted his interactions with police have been positive, however, and that officers have been professional, sympathetic, and also frustrated by the issues.

“Every year, things seem to be getting worse,” he said. “And I’m living proof of that.”

Last year, Doug Cutler, another property owner in the core, came forward with his struggles in dealing with drug use, vagrancy, and crime.

His property was condemned in December after he was no longer able to keep up with repairs for damage caused by addicts and criminals.

LPS Chief Rob Davis said he understood where the frustration was coming from.

“(Vercillo) absolutely nailed it,” he said. “Our hands are tied. We feel frustration with the justice system. It’s a catch and release.

“We can catch somebody, but we don’t have the lawful authority to hold them forever. They are detained for a short period of time and then they are back on the street.”

Vercillo said in spite of efforts being made to help those with addiction issues, some of those efforts, such as free needle programs, are creating an uphill battle for property owners.

“I’m here to show you the consequences of those things,” he said. “I find I’m still dealing with people trying to break into property.”

He is also being forced to triple lock some doors after they have been repeatedly compromised.

In spite of his efforts, Vercillo said he is still concerned for tenants in the buildings.

“I’ve got young women and senior citizens in this home,” he said. “Can you imagine what it would be like if you find on your front doorstep, way too often, people passed out with needles, or finding needles all over your lawn? You wouldn’t like it.”

Davis said police agencies across the country have been overwhelmed by the opioid crisis, and Lethbridge is no different.

“When people were doing their business plans four years ago, nobody was talking about fentanyl,” he said. “Nobody had it on their radar. And if they did, they didn’t have it to the extent we are seeing it.”

A coordinated effort is needed involving different community partners, according to Davis.

“We’re committed to working to try and make it better, but it’s going to take more than police,” he said. “It’s going to take a commitment from the City, and from downtown business owners as well, to explore some strategies perhaps that are being used in other cities successfully.”

Vercillo questioned whether the city is properly prepared to deal with the issue, or if it is being ignored.

“This is not acceptable,” he said. “We can’t bury our heads in the sand.”

Vercillo was asked by the commission if he felt the safe injection site would help the problem.

“No I don’t,” he said, adding his impression was that police themselves may be unconvinced of the effectiveness.

Davis said he believe it is too soon to tell whether the facility will be effective.

“I think we have to give it an honest shot, give it a chance,” said Davis. “If not, we have to try something else. We can’t just give up, and throw our hands up and accept it.”

“I don’t know what the future of downtown Lethbridge holds for me,” Vercillo said. “I’m done with it.”

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