Pee On Jasper 

The alley behind the SEE office on Jasper Avenue stinks.

Seriously, you often have to hold your nose because of the rank, stale pee stench. So, providing a couple public potties along Jasper Avenue, an idea the city is tinkering with, sounds great to us. The move would provide some comfort for the homeless and keep our downtown from smelling like Toronto. The possible $230,000 to $280,000 price tag for individual, self-cleaning units, however, seems like a little much, when other options were and are available.

What’s striking is that the city wasn’t looking at putting public washrooms in future LRT stations.
It’s another example of how simple, sensible options for city services get lost in a lumbering, bureaucratic system. At least the city is now looking at that option, as well as partnering with downtown organizations to keep their toilets open overnight.

Starving Edmonton To Pay Big Oil 

The Canada West Foundation, a Calgary-based public policy institute, released a report earlier in the week detailing Edmonton’s infrastructure debt (19.2 billion, according to the city) and the city’s measly income compared to other levels of government.

It’s no surprise that Edmonton is struggling. Residents see it every day in crumbling or non-existent sidewalks and public transit. The constant bickering between the city and the province about who’s responsible for affordable housing is another indication of misplaced priorities.

And for the situation to be deteriorating at a time when Alberta is running a $4.6 billion surplus is just plan sick. That money should have been allotted and debated during the provincial budget.  The fact that half the surplus will support carbon capture projects amounts to a corporate handout, and should incite a taxpayer revolt. 

Down With Video Surveillance!

Why is Edmonton still exploring video surveillance as a way to reduce crime?

The city is video-taping two Jasper Ave intersections at 108 and 109 Streets, even though a similar pilot project on Whyte Ave failed to show any reduction in crime.

In Canada, video surveillance is relatively low, according to the University of Ottawa’s public interest clinic website, www.cippic.ca. London, Ontario has 16 cameras monitoring downtown activities. Montreal also has a pilot project.

Edmonton’s downtown security is also being stepped up with 15 new “peace officers” for Churchill Square. But these measures don’t make this SEE staffer  feel any safer. Instead, cameras and security personnel send a message that downtown is not safe, and that patrons should fear for their safety. That worried emotional state doesn’t translate into safer streets or more prosperous businesses.