As Langley City’s homelessness task force begins its work, it is instructive to consider the words of Langley RCMP Supt. Murray Power, who spoke to Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday night.
He pointed out that the issue of homelessness elicits strong opinions from people, and many people feel fearful when they see homeless people.
“They make people uncomfortable,” he said. “But they are human beings.”
Power noted that the number of crimes actually committed by homeless people is “minuscule.” The crimes which are committed in Langley largely involve a relatively small group of people, some of whom are drug addicts. The occasional homeless person is involved in crime.
Power said there does need to be solutions to what is clearly a growing problem, particularly in Langley City’s downtown area, where more homeless people have been sleeping on the streets. While the services offered by the Gateway of Hope are excellent, not every homeless person wants to go there. Canada is a free country and there are no laws against being or sleeping on the streets.
Power said there are some solutions to ease the problem, but he also emphasized that the issue is “manageable” right now. Thus the appointment of the committee by Langley City Mayor Ted Schaffer comes at a good time, in his view.
Power said doing nothing is not an option, however. The current situation has the potential to become unmanageable if there is no change. He does not want to see that happen.
Power said community leaders need to help out and get involved in coming up with solutions, and one of the first is to help remind citizens that homeless people are human beings.