Some Grand Forks residents have expressed concern about the Multi-Agency Accommodation Project (MAPP) project that will be setting up shop at the old veterinary building at 7212 Riverside Drive.
While they don’t seem so concerned about Habitat for Humanity Boundary setting up an office and a retail building material store, they seem concerned about the Boundary Emergency Transitional Housing Society’s (BETHS) extreme weather shelter and the Whispers of Hope thrift store and soup kitchen and are taking a Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) stance.
Some have said that it could attract criminals and drug users and the like to their area.
From the residents’ point of view, it’s perfectly understandable but it is a little premature to assume that the neighbourhood will go downhill in a hurry.
While there is evidence of similar situations attracting said criminals and drug users in places like Vancouver, there is evidence to suggest that won’t happen here.
BETHS has operated out of the Grand Forks Christian Centre for the past few years and according to local police, there have been no incidents or complaints from nearby residents. No disturbances, or anything of that nature, say RCMP.
There have been some incidents that have occurred at the current Whispers of Hope location on Central Avenue but nothing of the major variety, according to police.
Local RCMP count only 12 incidents for the last six-plus years at Whispers’ current location and the majority were minor complaints (verbal disagreements) with nothing major. No assaults or anything of the like.
There was an instance of someone smoking marijuana but it’s a certainty that Central Avenue isn’t the only place in Grand Forks where that happens. In fact, it would be safe to wager money that it isn’t the only place that happens.
That averages out to two minor incidents at Whispers of Hope, which is low in the grand scheme of things.
Besides, it isn’t good to paint all the people who use Whispers of Hope with the same brush. Officials say that senior citizens and the disabled are amongst the clientele.
While Habitat for Humanity Boundary hasn’t said so, the building goods store, or Re-Store, might be provide employment opportunities for some of the so-called transient people as well.
No one should live in fear and no one should have to see their neighbourhood become inundated with drug dealers and criminals but maybe people should give the new MAPP project a chance first.
– Grand Forks Gazette