Public Disorder & the Decline of Vancouver's Livability

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Klazu

I was in Downtown on Sunday, probably half year since last time. Took the SkyTrain to Waterfront and was immediately greeted by a syringe on the platform elevator floor and a random crazy shouting outside of the station. No biggie but it was interesting to see how little business activity there was around Canada Place even with two cruise ships docked and there being a fair bit of foot traffic.

What was also clearly noticeable was the increased amount of tags and graffiti around Downtown. I moved here from Berlin which is filled with vandalism and I always proudly regarded Vancouver a very clean cuty. Well, that sentiment is starting to change and I can only guess the reason for increased vandalism is the lack of any consequences for destroying or damaging property these days. I think the broken windows theory will once again prove itself real, as less and less is being done to address the problem. It's a sad to see a clear trend, especially around the entire peninsula.

You are so right!

To see the buzz of activities, one just needs to take the seabus across Burrard Inlet to the former not-so-vibrant Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. Today it is a hub of activities with a traditional market, lots of retail shops, water parks, seawall broadwalk, recreational pier, ice skating rink, a spanking new museum, boutique hotels and many many cafes and restaurants. More than half of the businesses here and establishments are new thanks to the foresight of the City of North Vancouver. Many nice joints like 49th Parallel and Ernest Ice Cream also decided to set up shop at or near Lonsdale Avenue further up the slope. I have to say the City of North Van has heck of a lot better City planners. Best of all, the city is tag-free!

I just wish they can continue this momentum and expand the commercial area of Lonsdale to adjoining streets. One of the biggest mistakes is to rest on their laurels when there is so much going for them.

Coming back downtown, one usually feels rather depressed despite being in the downtown core. Visitors just don't come here in droves unless there are special events going on. Too many crazies, slumped over "zombies" and disorderliness here.