Supervised Consumption Sites and Public Health
What is your position on the role of supervised consumption sites in addressing addiction and public health concerns? How would you balance the need for harm reduction services with the concerns of downtown business owners and residents about public safety?
Supervised consumption sites are ill conceived and generally speaking, poorly run. These facilities are often situated without community consultation or with any consideration to the input such facilities will have on business owners. This model reinforces drug dependency behaviors. I firmly believe that a recovery oriented model for addiction along with implementing a comprehensive enforcement program to target trafficking and detention has a greater sustainable impact. While I have always supported a recovery oriented system of care, Rob’s record of voting indicates support for supervised consumption sites.
Addressing Open Drug Use and Public Spaces
What measures would you advocate for at the provincial level to address open drug use in public spaces while ensuring access to addiction recovery services and mental health supports?
I would advocate zero tolerance policy on open drug use. This does not mean charging everyone in possession of a small amount of narcotics, but it does mean seizing illicit drugs and paraphernalia. When I first came on Council in 2021, our city was in crisis. Previous councils voted to defund the police of $2 million. We immediately returned $1 million taken from the police reserves and rescinded the motion to remove the second million. I advocated for a robust police budget ($6 million over four years) to provide needed funding for recruitment and retention. 2024 first time LPS is at authorized strength in a decade. This allows police to put police officers back into the downtown beat. This in addition to blitz policing strategy currently used. This is an important part of crime prevention. Rob voted in favor of defunding the police.
Crime and Lawlessness in the Downtown Core
Downtown businesses are increasingly concerned about crime and lawlessness. What specific policies or initiatives would you implement to enhance public safety and support local law enforcement in Lethbridge’s downtown area?
While in City Council, I met with the BRZ and proposed a letter to mayor and Council to establish a cross functional team. As a result, the Downtown Lawlessness Reduction Task Force was born, which resulted in the BRZ, Police, LPES Regional services, CSD from City, Council reps working together to solve problems. I also worked with Government of Alberta to bring SCAN team to Lethbridge to combat drug/crime properties, and I will continue to work with the Province to advocate for these initiatives to be adopted throughout Alberta.
Supporting Local Businesses and Economic Growth
How would your policies support downtown revitalization and economic growth in Lethbridge? What strategies would you implement to attract more businesses and visitors to the downtown core?
We are already doing this. I believe Downtown revitalization changes the perception of our downtown spaces (new Galt Gardens landscaping, Festival Square, playground). The Encampment Strategy (which I co-developed with Administration) helped to remove tents and debris from our downtown core. Enforcement from a fully staffed beat team (as mentioned) cleans up the downtown core along with “Clean and Safe”, “The Watch”, and “Clean Sweep” programs. I believe in marketing the new Downtown as a place of vibrancy, and my office is located in the heart of downtown, a statement that this city is ours.
How would you work with municipal governments, local organizations, and law enforcement to ensure that downtown Lethbridge remains a vibrant, safe, and welcoming area for businesses, residents, and visitors?
The Downtown Lawlessness Task Force and Intermunicipal Round Table are examples of cooperation between agencies. This is foundational to relationship building with various Ministers that are able to leverage resources for our citizens. I already have a well-established relationship with several Ministers in the Alberta Legislature, who work on files that will benefit our city. Working with Minister Ellis on SCAN, I already have that relationship. Provincially funded police officers (as Calgary/Edmonton already have), has already been discussed and these positions have been discussed. I will advocate to ensure that we get the resources needed in the city of Lethbridge. Allocation of fine revenues received from the city should be returned in community policing grants. I believe that there should be a reevaluation of Sherriff deployment in traffic enforcement in cities and towns. Making Lethbridge a safer city improves the quality of life for all residents. During the reign of the NDP, weak provincial leaders were incapable or unwilling to create the changes needed. A UCP Government will implement these changes which will help businesses to attract customers to create a safe and vibrant destination.
If elected, our downtown will have an advocate who promotes a common sense, safer community approach to enhancing our downtown core. Promoting businesses and activities draw people to the heart of our city. My campaign /constituency office is open to community groups to have meetings and events, to help our downtown be a positive environment that all people can enjoy.