Don’t shoot the messenger still holds true

Re: “Editor’s views were informative,” Letters, Oct. 17.

DEAR EDITOR:

Thank you, Sharon J. Simpson, for your letter. You have the courage to challenge those who have criticized David Trifunov for describing the challenges of downtown.

David’s article was shocking and disturbing, but no one said the incidents did not happen. Urinating on the windows, obvious drug use, being spat in the face, break-ins, people sleeping in the entrance, a man throwing rocks at the windows — these are not trivial things. I am sure police and paramedics are tired of dealing with it. If this is the reality, surely the real issue is why the situation has been allowed to continue.

Hopefully, David’s article and the many letters that followed will put pressure on governments and our politicians to give more priority to finding a solution.

In 2008, the BC Supreme Court ruled that the Victoria police and bylaw enforcement could not evict the homeless from parks, unless the city provided accommodation for them.

That’s 12 years ago and we still see homeless people sleeping in tents in urban areas across the province. The judge made it clear there is a legal obligation to provide the homeless with a place to sleep. It is expensive and complicated as there are different groups within the homeless community.

We need to recognize the different needs and do what is necessary to get people off the streets. Thank you, David, for highlighting the issue, and thank you Sharon for coming to his defense.

David Trifunov was not condemning these people, he was expressing frustration at the inadequate government response.

Eric Hall, Kelowna