Maple Ridge Funeral Chapel Reaches Breaking Point Due to Vandalism and Disorder
A Maple Ridge, B.C., funeral home is pleading for help regarding the state of public disorder and safety in its community. Nathan Logue from Garden Hill Cremation and Funeral Services posted a video on Facebook showing the damage he says staff are met with almost every morning. The video depicts broken windows and destroyed flower beds, along with needles, garbage, and human feces. Logue expressed concerns about the lack of support for people causing damages to local businesses and the city's inability to provide necessary services for those in need of help. Despite being in the location for over 30 years, Logue mentioned the possibility of moving due to the ongoing issues.
Logue shared that they are a hardworking, small family business that has to spend a significant part of their day cleaning up after instances of vandalism and disorder. They deal with grieving families and do not need the added stress and distraction of garbage and disorder in front of the funeral home. Logue mentioned the challenges they face in cleaning up various items, including human feces, needles, oil, and old clothes, which require a strong stomach to handle. He also highlighted that every business in the neighborhood has faced social disorder issues and felt compelled to post the video online after becoming frustrated with the recurring incidents of destruction.
Ridge Meadows RCMP stated that they are taking steps to ensure police visibility and accessibility to businesses and residents in the downtown core. They announced plans to host pop-up Community Safety Tents starting May 22, 2024, to offer support to local businesses and give them an opportunity to discuss their concerns with police. In addition to these efforts, businesses and residents can expect an increase in visible police presence in the downtown core in the coming weeks. Logue emphasized the need for help and support, as they take pride in conducting business in Maple Ridge and calling it home.
City councillor Ahmed Yousef echoed Logue's sentiments, mentioning that downtown businesses are suffering from vandalism and destruction. He highlighted numerous cases of vandalism, including broken glass, kicked-in doors, and destruction of property in the area. Yousef expressed his frustration with the need to destroy property for no apparent reason, causing financial losses to businesses and instilling fear in clients who hesitate to patronize them. He commended the efforts of the downtown Business Improvement Association in working closely with the city and security companies to address these issues but emphasized the additional costs incurred by taxpayers to fund these services.
Yousef emphasized the need for a comprehensive solution to the ongoing problems, focusing on issues such as decriminalization, open drug use, and the importance of mandatory treatment programs. He stressed the need for a shift in philosophy towards treatment on demand to address the root causes of social disorder and safety concerns in the community. By acknowledging the challenges faced by businesses and residents in Maple Ridge, Yousef underlined the importance of addressing these issues collaboratively and proactively to create a safer and more supportive environment for all.
https://therealcrimediary.com/maple-ridge-funeral-chapel-reaches-breaking-point-due-to-vandalism-and-disorder/?feed_id=54828&_unique_id=665c26e51bdc2
Comments
Post a Comment