[ADob]

Oh, they're still out daily, right between 5 and 6am, doing their drug delivery runs. You can see the increasing droopyness of the groups that they'd already visited. The BMX and backpack, topped usually by a flat brim hat = businessmen out doing business, without fail. Not sure why they're allowed to continue, but I suppose they're not the big fish here.

 

[Avenuer]

That’s the challenge. All it takes is one or two experiences like that and “choice users” might never return”.

I’ve used the Milner library bathrooms a few times the last year. Currently I’m at like 4/5 times there’s been a red alert member in there basically using it as a private bathroom to clean/dress/do drugs, etc.

Why are we allowing red alert members in the library? You have gang affiliated clothing on, you’re banned. That simple.

Would love to bring more friends to that library cause it’s so fun for young kids. But the liklihood of a bad experience is almost guaranteed.

Not really (at least in my experience). My wife works for EPL and I have brought my kid to the Children's Library at Milner more times than I can count and every time it's been totally fine. Sure, you have homeless people on computers on floors 2 and 3 and maybe hanging out in some chairs and the Children's section was always fine. Thankfully, they do have on-site security to deal with the inevitable incidents that occur, but that does not mean a visit to Milner will almost certainly result in a bad experience (unless you count a bad experience as seeing a homeless person watching YouTube videos on one of the computers lol).

EPL Management could direct Security to ban any potential gang-affiliated clothing, but that woudl likely just lead to more incidents I think, unless you have actual EPS cops stationed at the entrance to deal with any of those situations.

 

[thommyjo]

Not really (at least in my experience). My wife works for EPL and I have brought my kid to the Children's Library at Milner more times than I can count and every time it's been totally fine. Sure, you have homeless people on computers on floors 2 and 3 and maybe hanging out in some chairs and the Children's section was always fine. Thankfully, they do have on-site security to deal with the inevitable incidents that occur, but that does not mean a visit to Milner will almost certainly result in a bad experience (unless you count a bad experience as seeing a homeless person watching YouTube videos on one of the computers lol).

EPL Management could direct Security to ban any potential gang-affiliated clothing, but that woudl likely just lead to more incidents I think, unless you have actual EPS cops stationed at the entrance to deal with any of those situations.

I’m glad you’ve had all good experiences. And the kids area is certainly well protected.

But I have rarely ever been there without at least one of the following (often multiple):

- red alert gang members in the library
- blood, garbage, gross stuff on the bathroom floor
- homeless person using the bathroom for self cleaning (like shirt off washing down at sink while I try to wash a toddler’s hands
- clothing/belongings/garbage/food piled up all over a table or against a wall, alcohol or drug paraphernalia sometimes included.
- drugged up person screaming outside the entrance

I have compassion for homeless people needing a place to access services and care. It shouldn’t be a library, especially not one so geared towards kids. I have 0 compassion for gang members and thugs. And I don’t think banning them leads to more incidents. It’s the right thing to do and EPS should enforce those laws like any other.

 

[AntonK]

“Not encountering issues very often” still means regularly and for those that are vulnerable - like my wife and like your sister - “not encountering issues very often” simply isn’t good enough.

That's fair, especially for females. It's a different experience for them, and myself, being a 6'2" 220lb male sometimes forget what it's like for others. I was discussing this issue with a buddy on the weekend, and he sent me a link to this Youtube video. Edmonton seems to be front and centre in the video

 

[CplKlinger]

Yesterday's Edmonton Police Commission meeting had an interesting presentation from a UofA criminologist who went "undercover" to study the interactions between houseless people and law enforcement (as in, law enforcement officers, social workers, etc. didn't know who she was or what she was doing when she was observing things). She did similar work in Toronto before coming out here.

People are murdering others with overdoses of drugs, in order to make it look accidental - they're called "hot-shot murders."

When homeless folks were asked "Of the people you know who were murdered, how were they murdered?" 31% of the killings were reported as hot-shots. Meanwhile, 21% of self-described gang members told the criminologist that they murdered people with overdoses either rarely, sometimes, or always.

Another thing I didn't know is how gangs are threatening people's lives in order to use their houses as trap houses.

Also, a lot of people working for the gangs are doing so against their will, and *want* a safe way out (if they try to stop helping the gangs, they risk being murdered).

Also, a lot of the gangs from large cities like Toronto and Vancouver are spreading out to take over the drug scene in smaller cities like Edmonton.

 

[archited]

I have no empathy for Drug Dealers/Pushers; is it time to bring back public hangings?

 

[yeggator]

I have no empathy for Drug Dealers/Pushers; is it time to bring back public hangings?

Long mandatory minimums at the very least. Even if they aren’t intending to kill people, they unintentionally do it by recklessly selling highly potent drugs.

 

[Whatup]

For years on this forum I have been saying that the "safe supply" and permissive drug polices in Canada are toxic lunacy driven by virtue signalling and santimonious "progressive" know it all "experts" who scoff at any public criticism of their policies. Countries in Asia, with much longer histories and experience with opioids than Canada think Canadian policy is crazy - they can't believe how naive and stupid these policies are. These countries have very strict rules and harsh punishments, including the death penalty, for drug dealing, especially for Class A narcotics. The streets of major cities in most Asian countries are relatively safe, respectful and not overrun with drug addled self centered "victims" who scare people, damage property and feel the need to show the world that they want to ruin their lives. These countries build pipelines, energy and other infrastucture and it doesn't take them 20 years because they are worried about woke virtue signalling nonsense that is anti-capitalist and anti-wealth generation. Things will get worse for Canada before they get better - hope the boomers are ready.

 

[archited]

^ We all get that for years you have been whistling a one-note tune... when are you going to grow up?

 

[thommyjo]

I think one of the biggest items to tackle in the coming years for downtown will be a major redo of our LRT entrances and stations. I’d like to see:

University - massive overhaul. Should be a landmark platform/station worthy of its use and the international visitors it serves.

Gov centre - minor updates to improve lighting, aesthetics, and safety.

Corona - big updates to entrances and potential closures of some. Improve pedways and stairwells. No changes to station platform. Gorgeous.

Bay/enterprise - same as corona basically.

Central - massive overhaul of platform, pedways, and entrances.

Churchill - massive overhall of platform, pedways, and entrances with even a bit more wow factor than central.

Churchill and uni should be our best 2 stations on the line based on use/visitors/connected destinations yet are somehow the worst 2 outside of the NE ones.

 

[Whatup]

^ We all get that for years you have been whistling a one-note tune... when are you going to grow up?

I heard the marines are assembling at the Montana border - your better turn off "At Issue" and grab your BB gun and defend Canada.

 

[IanO]

Went to get groceries after work, no less than 3 people actively doing drugs with effluent in the area between the escalators and elevator. God help your lungs if you need to use the lift... and absolutely unacceptable on many, many levels.

 

[kylep84]

Someone(take a guess the type of person) just smashed out one of the big west facing windows of the library downtown. Then I just witnessed multiple "nice" individuals walk by and break more of the glass out. Pathetic.

 

[degrandprix]

Someone(take a guess the type of person) just smashed out one of the big west facing windows of the library downtown. Then I just witnessed multiple "nice" individuals walk by and break more of the glass out. Pathetic.

Would it be unreasonable to call 911 while witnessing something like this?

 

[kylep84]

Would it be unreasonable to call 911 while witnessing something like this?

I think it would make sense, I'm pretty sure people inside the library were already on it.