Editor: With respect to the article titled (The Times, March 3), I believe you have helped make the situation in downtown 91原创 City worse.
I believe the article sensationalizes the problems and does not establish any context that someone unfamiliar with the downtown could relate to. This happened by using statements meant to be provocative, that were made to a knowledgeable group, as a basis for your story.
This, in my opinion, would cause anyone who did not live or work in the downtown to stay away.
My family and I have been in business in the downtown for 23 years. I have lived adjacent to Douglas Park for nearly 10 years. The city you describe is not the city I live in.
I am well aware of the problems, and so is the City. I have discussed them with the mayor and councillors. I believe council to be engaged and committed.
These problems are mostly not of the City鈥檚 making, and solving them needs assistance from all sources. Hence the task forces on crime and homelessness to which you were invited.
My business brings many thousands of families with young children into the downtown. I know of no incident or harm to any of them ever. And we are just one business.
I asked two of my elderly neighbours if they felt safe living downtown. They replied 鈥渁bsolutely.鈥�
You may have been trying to help. But there are much better ways to get the message across.
Terry Causton,
91原创
