Dear Editor:
Some ideas for the City of Burnaby:
1. Richmond has an emergency text/communication system: why do we not have something like this in Burnaby? Especially with Kinder Morgan concerns. This quick and effective way of communicating mitigates hazard exposure when risks happen, whether it is flood, landslide, earthquake, fire, smoke, hazardous materials, etc. Internet communications, such as email, may be more reliable if communication towers are compromised, and would offer a cost-effective solution instead of the $20,000-plus expense concern to implement.
2. Vancouver introduced a mental health program for hoarding issues that plague many homes causing fire and earthquake hazards or inaccessibility for emergency responders. This program has benefits for a launch in Burnaby as a social service, decreasing the chances of seniors falling and improving response times.
3. Many other communities have 10 per cent new building reserves for transitionary housing for low-socioeconomic families. This would address the communal backlash caused by Burnaby’s desire to expand housing with lucrative investments driving market prices up and also the displaced community members.
4. In Saskatchewan, Regina and Saskatoon have bylaws protecting pedestrians from being soaked by vehicles driving through puddles. We’ve all gotten doused at one point or another. This also encourages slowing down and awareness, as well as another revenue source for the city.
5. Vancouver has crime statistics posted online to help make communities safer. Restricting this information to the public, such as in Burnaby, increases assessed property values, therefore maximizing the city’s revenue when collecting annual property taxes, as well as pleasing property developers.
By posting crime stats, the city would be held more responsible for addressing crime as well, whether through greater community rehabilitation programs, engagement projects, or environmental designs, etc.
Hiding or avoiding crime doesn’t make it go away. Without sharing critical information about crime, though, this artificial value inflation makes the city less safe and exposes citizens to risks.
Burnaby should be a leading city instead of a follower. Maybe we could start with just catching up.
Morgan Sinclair, Burnaby
