Vancouver DTES: Worst slumlords should be fined, activists insist

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uploaded by Barry Artiste

Barry Artiste, Op/Ed

Though I have not had dealings with these hotels or family, except the Cobalt since the suicide at the Cobalt last Summer 2008, you have to realise not all landlords are slumlords, many have just given up fixing their places when the tenants who continually destroy their hotels or fail to get evicted for Drug Dealing, Fighting etc. Landlords feel helpless when even the city will not intervene in evicting the drug dealers and criminal element from these places. So you see, a double edged sword. Though I am sure there are slumlords, there are exceptions.

Take a look at Chinatown, at one time a tourist mecca, a beautiful area to visit, merchants there pay taxes, do their best to keep their storefronts clean, yet are constantly bombarded by DTES druggies and criminals stealing to urinating on their produce to accosting tourists etc.

One would think the city would act on behalf of these hard working Merchants whose business and property taxes are through the roof. The city leaves these merchants to their own devices. 

I ask you why the hell are these Merchants paying taxes and not getting help? I'll tell ya, the city fears to tread where protestors reign.  Time to stop the Politically correct crap and start kicking Ass and rid the DTES of the criminals who prey on everyone.