A Williams Lake city councillor wants drug use in public spaces banned in the city, especially parks and beaches.
Coun. Scott Nelson has penned a notice of motion that was approved at the Tuesday, June 6, council meeting asking staff to draft a bylaw amendment in response to the provincial government’s pilot program decriminalizing possession of up to 2.5 grams of illicit drugs in public spaces.
“I think people are getting quite tired in what is taking place in town with the open use of drugs in parks where children play,” Nelson said. “We are constantly cleaning up used needles.”
In recent months, Kamloops council passed a bylaw banning illicit drug use within 100 metres of municipal parks and playgrounds or any sidewalk. Sicamous has also passed a bylaw prohibiting drug use in parks with play areas.
During the regular meeting Tuesday, Coun. Jazmyn Lyons said she liked that Sicamous’s bylaw included parks with play areas for children.
Williams Lake businesses Bob’s Footwear and Apparel Inc., Joe Augustine Contracting Ltd., Raymond James/Mike Austin Financial Services Ltd. and Evolve Chartered Accountants have all contacted the city with concerns about drug use outside their downtown businesses, hoping to see change.
Bob’s Footwear and Apparel Inc. co-owners wrote a letter to city council, which the store’s owners said reflects the concerns of all four businesses.
The letter outlines concerns about crime, theft from vehicles, drug use, littering and the safety of the store’s owners, employees and customers.
Daily the businesses face people camping outside of their buildings overnight, leaving litter, human waste and drug paraphernalia, they said.
“We implore you to please provide more support to your downtown core and help rectify these concerns of your tax paying citizens,” the letter notes.
READ MORE: B.C. MLA calls for province-wide ban on drug use in parks, playgrounds
READ MORE: Maple Ridge city councillor wants to restrict open drug use
With files from Wolfgang Depner and Alistair Taylor