It's torched a nerve.
A survey by the Business Improvements Areas of BC released earlier this week shone a spotlight on just how chronic drug-mental health-and-homelessness-
And the reaction to the appalling situation and fear of it has been swift and blunt.
Earlier this week, Business Improvement Areas of BC president, Jeremy Heighton, who is also executive director of the North Shore Business Improvement Association in Kamloops, released and spoke candidly about the survey.
Paula Quinn, executive director of the Downtown Kelowna Association also weighed in, admitting that downtown is seeing increased drug-and-mental-health-related activity, more homeless encampments, broken windows and doors, theft, violence, aggression, persistent crime, vandalism, street disorder and spiked fear and anxiety for store, restaurant and business staff.
Quinn is also quick to point out that downtown Kelowna is still a desirable place for locals and tourists who enjoy the lakeside location, parks, shopping, dining and culture.
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As the week's gone on, Kelowna-Mission Conservative MLA Gavin Dew, Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas and provincial NDP minister of state for community safety and integrated services Terry Yung have added their voices to the chorus.
The key finding in the Business Improvement Areas of BC survey was that 67% of downtown businesses in the province feel street disorder is running rampant due to drug and mental health related problems, more homeless encampments, vandalism, theft, violence and aggression.
74% of businesses report the mess has increased fear and anxiety for staff.
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Gavin Dew
"Small businesses have been left to fend for themselves under a relentless wave of vandalism and violence," said Dew.
"Every day brings a new story about vandalism, violence, property crime, flagrant drug use, or a dead body outside a business."
Dew said the mental health and addiction crisis has been made worse by misguided NDP policies, from drug decriminalization to a refusal to invest in addiction recovery to a revolving door justice system for prolific offenders.
"Storefront small business is paying the price for (NDP Premier) David Eby’s total failure. With rock bottom business confidence and the highest youth unemployment since the NDP '90s, it's time the government wakes up and starts helping small businesses before we lose more of them."
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Tom Dyas
"We are grateful that the Business Improvement Areas of BC has reached out to businesses across the province to better understand the impacts on communities and local businesses," said the mayor.
"Their survey reinforces the very recommendations that the City of Kelowna has been directly advocating for with the province and the federal government over the past several years — including more Crown prosecutors, bail reform, compassionate mandatory care, and continued advancement of complex care and housing with wraparound supports."
Dyas stressed the reality is that municipalities were never designed to manage issues like mental health, addictions, and homelessness.
"As someone who sits on the Uptown Rutland Business Association (board) and regularly speaks with business owners across Kelowna, I am keenly aware of the concerns local businesses are facing," he said.
"That is why we established the Uptown Rutland Business Association on-call team, investing in and working alongside the Downtown Kelowna Association on-call and clean teams to provide timely responses where they are needed most."
Dyas pointed out that the City of Kelowna and Uptown Rutland Business Association are strengthening partnerships with the RCMP, Bylaw Services, first responders, and community organizations.
"We are also investing in additional RCMP officers, bylaw officers, and firefighters to help keep people and businesses safe," summed up Dyas.
"Our Council recognizes that while progress has been made, there is still much more work to do. That is why we will continue working with our community partners and pressing senior levels of government to deliver the meaningful changes our community needs."
Terry Yung
“We know more needs to be done, and we’re going to keep working hard with our partners in all sectors to implement real solutions so people can build a good life, in a safe community in British Columbia," said Yung, who is a former Vancouver police officer.
“The safety of people and businesses is a top priority, and the province continues to work with communities to ensure they have access to the resources and supports needed to create a safe and vibrant community for all."
As an example, Yung pointed to new funding programs to support police in their efforts to address street disorder such as vandalism and theft, and to help them address issues with repeat violent offending.
The recently launched Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement Program is designed to support law enforcement efforts to combat street disorder - protecting businesses and workers, and building stronger downtowns.
"We continue to encourage the Kelowna RCMP to apply for C-STEP," said Yung.
There's also a Special Investigation and Targeted Enforcement (SITE) program that provides funds for police to address violent repeat offenders.
Yung pointed to tiny home communities in Kelowna providing temporary homes for the homeless and warming buses in the winter for the homeless.
But, Yung also recognizes that shelters are not a long-term solution, and the goal remains to connect people with permanent housing that meets their needs.
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Downtown Kelowna's had enough of street disorder, vandalism, aggression, crime and violence
