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LETTER: I gave Surrey a second chance – what a big mistake

I left Surrey in 2001 because of the huge number of problems. I hate to say it but I’m going to leave again – as soon as possible. This place is even worse than when I left.
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The Editor,

I’m writing this letter as I just recently moved back to Surrey after 18 years in New Westminster.

I left Surrey in 2001 because of the huge number of problems. I hate to say it but I’m going to leave again – as soon as possible.

This place is even worse than when I left.

City officials are always in the news talking about how they are making this place better but it’s just been a lot of hot air and wasted money.

There is this interesting invention, called a “sidewalk.”

Evidently, Surrey has not heard of them. It’s been very interesting walking down unlit roads with no curb or sidewalk. I guess pedestrians are not welcome here.

The zoning is also terrible. No wonder there is congestion, you can’t walk to practically anything and it’s all car-oriented sprawl.

Good thing it’s pedestrian unfriendly however, because there are drug addicts and drug dealers everywhere. Just going to the store I saw no fewer than 16 drug addicts – in the middle of the day.

When my fiancé and I came into Surrey to view the place I just moved into, I was telling her how unsafe it is near Gateway, and a six-foot-four, 200-pound man piped up that he wouldn’t feel safe walking around at night either.

What’s even more amazing is that this is all happening within a block of a police station.

Obviously nobody cares.

I have a solution. Have the Canadian Army come in, erect fencing with razor wire, and declare martial law. Round up these thugs, criminals and drug addicts and send them all to Alert Bay, NWT.

The city has no right to charge property taxes if they can’t keep the place safe, can’t build a sidewalk, and have no clue about zoning.

Maybe they should go to New Westminster city hall for an introductory lesson on how to do things properly.

I thought I’d give Surrey a second chance. Turns out I very much regret that decision.

Kris Taylor, Surrey