City Needs More Than More Apolgies … It Needs A New Policy On How We Treat Homeless People
Dear Editor. Re: Volunteer Parks Dept Worker Destroys Homeless Camp Site – Braun Apologizes –
I am not criticizing Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun for apologizing to Cody O’Day at a press conference, and it is great that he hopes the city can learn from this experience.
What I really think this city needs is a new operating policy from the top down on how to deal with the homeless. That is the job of a leader, not to apology for his employees.
Either dictate a new policy for dealing with the homeless or work to get one passed. Public safety is “Job One “of any government, which includes the “Public Safety” of the homeless.
The City of Abbotsford has had in place for years, policies that maximize harm to the homeless.
I can again forgive the Park Employees and say he did not know and yes he should have known, but on what day should a real leader emerge in Abbotsford and say “Not Again” the next City Employee to harm a homeless person (another human being) will have criminal charges filed against them?
What I want to see is a New Policy Statement, in writing, dated and signed from Mayor Henry Braun to all city employees stating:
“From this day forward, all city employees should be advised that they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law for damages to the property of the homeless.
“My Administration puts the public safety of all its citizens first and has a Zero Tolerance for hate crimes and crimes against humanity and you will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law for such crimes.”
Such behaviour as spray painting the face of the homeless green in 2008 and destroying the campsites of the homeless will end when our leaders protect all of our citizens.
I am not criticizing Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun for apologizing to Cody O’Day at a press conference, I am criticizing Mayor Henry Braun for not stating at the press conference that this is the last second chance for the city employees and the next city employee to attack and damage the belonging of a homeless human will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Tim Felger