To the editor:
Re: “All hands on Wreck,” Kudos & Kvetches, May 14.
The UBC RCMP decision to place a tent full time for several hours a day is both unacceptable and dumb.
As a long time resident of Vancouver, a nearby the beach resident and someone who has both observed and appreciated the uniqueness of that beach over time, I can only shake a head in disbelief at an action that will infuriate those who value the beach and likely prove a blunder from a PR perspective for the UBC RCMP detachment... and maybe even the BC RCMP.
What makes this particular beach like no other in the Lower Mainland is both its natural beauty and atmosphere. The natural beauty is under constant attack from pollution and development, however it’s atmosphere is also threatened by the presence of armed and uniformed individuals.
That’s where both the RCMP and GVRD come in. Why is it necessary for two administrations to be patrolling the beach? Especially that beach?
The battle over Wreck Beach and who has the right to use it was won decades ago. It’s a clothing-optional beach and therefore attracts a particular demographic. Some, it seems, just can’t get over it.
Among other things, providing law enforcement is a matter of prioritizing. It’s doubtful that too many users of that beach support the level of attention by police to the degree it has been, let alone setting up virtually a full time presence there for several hours a day.
MLA Harry Bains was on the radio this week lamenting lack of RCMP manpower for serious crime in Surrey. There are serious crimes, including the murder of Wendy Ladner-Beaudry which took place in UBC RCMP’s jurisdiction, that remain unsolved. Unwanted and unnecessary presence in a location that is essentially self-policing looks bad for the RCMP and its members.
An action like this can only add fuel to the fire for those who will inevitably ask: “Have the RCMP nothing better to do?”
Few are unaware of what goes on down at that beach. Nothing’s changed and nothing will change... except some officer in charge of an RCMP detachment has chosen to draw the line in the sand.
The result of this action will be beachgoers who are upset, bad media publicity and yet again more public attention to bad management and misallocation of police / taxpayer resources by the RCMP.
Like I said, unacceptable and dumb.
Ian Tootill,
Vancouver
