Vancouver Escorts: US couple tells State Department False Creek North is ‘unsafe’
June 24, 2009 12:01 a.m.
The American State Department has issued travel advisories for Iran, Afghanistan, Somalia and Haiti — but will it issue one for Vancouver?
An American couple living in False Creek North says they’ve alerted their government that the neighbourhood is unsafe for visitors, and is requesting it issue a travel advisory during the 2010 Games.
Deirdre Barlow, who is part of a group called Concerned Citizens of False Creek North, said residents are on edge after the city opened a shelter nearby, which she said has attracted violence, prostitution and drug use.
“(On Tuesday) I walked to the park and someone was shooting heroin,” Barlow said.
“There are constant police arrests at the shelter, people walking around with weapons. One guy had a ball and chain. It’s turned the neighbourhood upside-down.”