Langley City’s mayor is determined to win the city back from the criminal element that has asserted its presence more aggressively in recent years.
That’s why Ted Schaffer appointed a task force on community crime prevention, which met for the first time on Friday and took an enlightening tour of the city to see it through the eyes of a crime prevention design expert.
Some people who live in Langley City don’t think there is much of a problem. But judging from comments The Times has received on Tuesday’s story about the committee’s tour, and letters and other communications received here when a major crime takes place in the City, they are in a distinct minority.
Crime was in fact one of the major issues in November’s election campaign, and Schaffer is following up on both it and homelessness — two of the most visible and challenging issues facing the City.
Crime prevention expert Greg Perkins said that Langley City is in year three of what could be a 10-year tipping point.
Once that point is reached, he said, streets descend into chaos and difficulties “are beyond challenging.”
No one in the City wants to see that happen. Langley City has many positive attributes — community amenities, including a new Timms Centrte under construction; a walkable downtown core; better transit access than anywhere else in Langley; many caring residents, and lots of shopping opportunities.
It’s important to reverse the slide Perkins has identified.