The City of New Westminster is taking action to address a number of complaints about nuisance activities, crime and property maintenance around the 22nd Street SkyTrain station.
After residents raised concerns about issues near the station, city staff met with TransLink officials and conducted a crime prevention through environmental design assessment of the area.
"Residents adjacent to the 22nd Street station have expressed concerns about various activities stemming from the users of the transit station including public urination, drinking of alcohol, sexual activity, drug use and distribution, increased garbage, traffic violations and aggressive behaviour including physical violence," city bylaw officer Veronika Metchie wrote in a report to council, following the assessment of the area.
"The residents also expressed frustration at what they perceive as being the watchdogs for the area, having to contact police when they witness ongoing disruptive, nuisance and threatening behavior at or near the entrance to the station. While police respond when called, it is usually municipal police services, which are dependent on availability and can entail a time delay."
The staff report states that issues to be addressed around the station include the need for regular maintenance to landscaping around the station and on city property across the street, cleanup of a vacant lot on Seventh Avenue where people have been gathering, and traffic control to ensure residents' access to their homes isn't impeded and pedestrians aren't put into harm's way by walking on the road or around vehicles.
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