Langley RCMP have confirmed that a man died of an apparent drug overdose in Douglas Park last Wednesday evening. The death serves as a tragic reminder of the ongoing social issues the City is struggling with.
Residents living in the area took to social media that evening, saying a yellow tarp had been draped over the deceased’s body and police were on scene.
Drug-related deaths were declared a public health emergency in B.C. in April. Since then, overdose deaths — many tied to fentanyl — have jumped 74 per cent compared to the same time last year.
Langley City Mayor Ted Schaffer told the Times he has received numerous calls from people who are concerned about homeless issues, including camps set up in municipal parks, as well as anger over the growth of petty crime in the community.
“I’ve never had so many calls from individuals as I have right now,” said Schaffer on Thursday.
The City is grappling with an increased number of people living on the streets and setting up tent cities on the Nicomekl floodplain and in other locations around town.
On July 12, officers from the City’s bylaw department entered the growing homeless camp on the floodplain. They filled a trailer and truck with items that had been collected by the people living in the camp.
Policing is largest cost driver in City
“We want people to feel safe. We want to get a handle on this before it gets out of control,” said Schaffer. He said last weekend he sent Langley RCMP commander Supt. Murray Power three emails about residents’ concerns and asked to meet with him. He also has had recent meetings with officers in charge of policing the downtown.
“Look at our policing costs,” said Schaffer.
Accounting for 45 per cent of the City’s annual budget, policing remains the municipality’s largest cost driver.
Policing overall — including the Community Police Office and the City’s share of integrated policing units, cost $11.23 million.
“I’ve had homeless people come see me and say they just want five acres to live, be able to do some work — and it’s true, they do need housing, they deserve housing, but that isn’t something a municipality can do,” said Schaffer.
'Province must step up'
“The province has to step up on this issue. The federal government has a role too.”
The provincial government has provided funding to some communities with a Housing First approach. But the idea of simply providing housing, without supports or attention to addictions and mental health issues isn’t finding much support among politicians in Metro Vancouver.
“We can’t just build housing without support.
“That’s just inviting chaos. If there was a supervised place for them to go, that would be great,” said Schaffer.
Across the Fraser River, Maple Ridge is facing similar challenges. Mayor Nicole Read is hoping to host the first-ever regional summit on homelessness, for municipal politicians to share what works, what doesn’t and to try to find a way to get the province to the table.
Schaffer said he is aware of Read’s request, but isn’t committing to attend until he gets the go-ahead from Langley City’s homelessness task force.
“I don’t want to undermine all the good work the committee has done.
“But this is a region-wide issue and if there is one municipality bumping them out, they will go to another city.
“And marginalized people tend to gravitate and live where the services and supports are. That’s what we are dealing with.”