Local business owners in downtown New Westminster are raising the alarm over a surge in crime and open drug use. In response, the provincial government and police say they are taking steps to improve safety in the area.
Robert Stone, a business owner with an office above Columbia Street, says the problem is affecting his workplace directly.
“We’ve had multiple people smoking crack cocaine in the stairwell right outside our office,” he shared. “The smell even comes into the office.”
Stone’s experience is not unique. Business owners throughout the area have raised similar complaints about safety and disorder.
Crime data supports their concerns. Robberies in downtown New Westminster are up 200 percent compared to the same time last year. Theft has risen by 67 percent, mischief by 39 percent, and assaults by 7 percent.
Despite these increases, local police say the numbers are in line with the average seen over the past three years. They add that their ability to take action is limited by provincial policies.
“The provincial government has made it clear that simple drug possession charges will not be approved,” said Sergeant Andrew Leaver. “That puts a limit on what we can do.”
The provincial Ministry of Public Safety responded by clarifying that it does not control how local police carry out daily enforcement.
While the province has taken steps to decriminalize drug use in the past, critics say this has caused new issues. Public Safety Critic Elenore Sturko pointed out that the decriminalization policy was rolled back more than a year ago.
“It’s currently illegal to possess or use drugs in public,” Sturko said. “To fix what’s happening in New Westminster, police must enforce the laws.”
Some local business owners blame a nearby supervised injection site for the increase in disorder. They claim it has drawn more drug users and increased unwanted activity in the area.
Travis Walker of the Purpose Society, which runs the site, said the purpose of the facility is to save lives.
“Our site exists to prevent overdose deaths,” he said. “Homelessness, addiction, and mental illness are all connected, and there are no simple solutions.”
In response to the rising concerns, the police have promised more resources and patrols in the downtown area.
“People in the community can expect to see more officers in the downtown core,” Leaver said. “We are already redeploying some of our resources to deal with these problems.”
The situation in downtown New Westminster highlights the ongoing challenges many cities face. As crime rises and mental health issues continue to affect the streets, local leaders, police, and health workers must work together to find long-term answers.
For now, business owners hope the added police presence will help bring some peace to the neighborhood.
