We all know that an apple rots from the core outward, but perhaps we need to consider if that applies to our city as well.

Despite increased police presence on foot, on bicycles and even on horseback, a recent personal stroll down the Stephen Avenue Mall provided examples of individuals sleeping on the street or just hanging out in what can only be described as an intimidating manner. One of my friends relayed a story of having dinner at one of the terrific restaurants on the mall and experiencing an individual using a nearby tree as a place to urinate. This should be unacceptable to all of us and if we want to have a downtown core and a retail mall that is vibrant and inviting, the tolerance level for bad behaviour must be set at zero. Candidly, we do not allow this type of activity in the Chinook Centre or Market Mall, so why we allow it downtown should be a question worth answering.

This past weekend, while visiting my local dry cleaner in the Beltline, I commented on the fact that his large window was now a sheet of plywood. This was the result of individuals loitering on the sidewalk, getting into an argument and someone breaking the window with a bicycle. This is the fourth time his window has been broken, and this small business must pay the costs of repair each time. At the neighbouring Circle K convenience store, they have replaced their windows with Plexiglass........

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