Regarding Kim Bolan's recent trip to Prince George and her following article, embedded as she was with the RCMP, she seems to have followed popular mythology about "the Hood."
As a resident of the Hood, I beg to differ.
Bolan quoted Lesley Smith and her comments that new owners have been "sabotaged by vandals working for the gangs." Huh? Who and where? Nine years here (and our neighbours have been here much longer) and we have not had any problems at all. Well, our vehicle was broken into twice in that time but back in Vancouver, in underground and secure parking, it was hit more than four times in two years. We had a flower box taken one year. Nothing else. Nor have our neighbours experienced this sabotage. We have steadily improved our homes by landscaping and renovations while enjoying some of the smallest mortgages in P.G.
I have noticed a tendency of the local RCMP to exaggerate how bad the Hood is, ignoring the Hood north and other areas. "Lined by for sale signs"? My recent tour of the "tree streets" - Norwood, Oak, Pine, Quince and Spruce - disclosed a few, but not row after row or anything like the hyperbole of "lined."
And which of my neighbours are "on edge?" The ones who have been here for 15 or 20 years? My partner and I are not, not in the nine years here. Heavens! We have more police patrols than 90 per cent of B.C. residents. Run down? Yes, some houses are indeed in bad shape, the older and cheaper rental stock. Not all are delapidated, perhaps even not most. The recent and lamented property "boom" saw many new residents, owner occupiers, who have been fixing up their places.
Perhaps Bolan should have spent more than three days here before rushing to judgment.
Willow Arune
Prince George
