Richmond residents concerned about safety near supportive housing

Some residents who live near a supportive housing unit in Richmond are voicing their concerns about safety in the area.

Locals say they have seen an increase in open drug use around the temporary modular housing on Alderbridge Way, and say they no longer feel safe in the neighbourhood.

Members of Neighbours of Richmond — a community safety group — say they are fed up with the low-barrier housing site next door to them, alleging residents there consume drugs out in the open and in areas where young families and seniors live.

A video posted to social media shows a verbal confrontation between the person filming and two people who appear to be injecting themselves on the sidewalk in front of private residences and then throwing the needles on the ground.

Those who live in the area say this has been an ongoing occurrence.

“[We are seeing] negative impacts on the community here,” said resident Sheldon Starrett. “Open drug use in a family residential area, discarded needles, crack pipes.”

Clifton Jang, strata council president at the nearby Lotus condo complex, says he has reached out to the city many times, citing concerns over safety. But he says the situation hasn’t improved.

“Since 2019, we have seen drug users using various types of drugs, from smoking or injecting,” Jang said.

“The safety in this community has dropped dramatically.”

He says he would like to see better security measures and for the city to take action.

Coun. Alexa Loo, who chairs the Community Safety Committee, says crime in the area has increased.

“There was an uptick in this type of activity since the Alderbridge House came in,” Loo said.

She says she wants to see long-term systemic change, including treatment for substance users and more medical clinics in Richmond.

But she says this will take time.

“If we can … get more doctors into our community, people can get help before they hit rock bottom,” Loo said.

“Instead of filling the doors of supportive housing places, maybe we can prevent getting people there in the first place.”

She says as for short-term fixes, the city is increasing the number of bylaw officers and patrols in the neighbourhood.

Loo says this is a tough topic.

“We need to have compassion for the community and the individuals who are suffering, people who are trying to get their life back,” she said.