City Councillor Jack McLeman says he’s never known a time when people were afraid to walk in parts of Port Alberni.
He says criminal activity and drug use in the uptown area is keeping shoppers away and hurting local businesses.
McLeman says crime in the uptown area has gotten out of control and the city and police need to rein it in.
He says drug addiction, poverty, and housing issues have made some areas of Port Alberni unsafe.
Council have invited police and social service representatives to a Committee of the Whole meeting tonight.
McLeman said declaring buildings as nuisance properties seems to be forcing landlords to fix the problems.
Issues around crime rates, housing reports, poverty stats and drug use will be discussed at a Committee of the Whole meeting tonight at 6 in council chambers and the public along with social service representatives are invited to attend.