Participants at a rally, organized by Cowichan-based Canadian Citizens Against Crime and Public Drug Use, chanted “Enough is enough” and waved placards outside the recently burned Good Neighbours thrift store on York Street in North Cowichan on Friday. About 200 people joined the rally.
The group is calling for jail time for those responsible for increasing crime and street disorder, secure care for those struggling with mental health disorders, an end to public drug use, more treatment for the addicted and housing for those living on the street.
Meanwhile, others called the rally a way to incite more hate and harm against the homeless, and rejected the idea that involuntary treatment, jail and more policing are the answer. Critics of the rally maintain the organizers are wrongly conflating homelessness and addiction with crime.
The store burned down on Feb. 10. Police and fire officials are investigating. No one was hurt in the blaze.
