Talk:Lower Lonsdale

POV edits

An IP insists on adding the following text to the page:

"==Crime and Social Disorder: Even with an influx of new residents over the past decade, the area is coping with some of the North Shore's highest levels of crime and social problems, such as homelessness and drug addiction. The issues reached a boiling point in the summer of 2007 when the residents of one apartment building held a "rent strike" to protest what they deemed as untolerable levels of drug dealing, prostitution and associated crime in and around their building."

• North Shore News, "Lower Lonsdale Challenges Simmer", Sept. 14
• North Shore Outlook, "Lower Lonsdale On The Brink"

Now, some of this is supported by the references, but it is completely out of context, and not reflective of the Lower Lonsdale area as a whole. In fact, to quote from one of the editorials used as a reference:

"when I read that some residents are concerned about drug dealers, prostitution, slum landlords, beggars and unruly youth in Lower Lonsdale I get a little upset. Some even go so far as to say Lower Lonsdale is as bad as the notorious drug and crime infested corner of Hastings and Main streets in Vancouver. Of course their complaints are exaggerated. Lower Lonsdale is not the inner city slum area of a major metropolis. One can still walk the streets at night and feel safe. The redevelopment of the area over the past two decades has removed the most notorious buildings. Gone are the "Big O" and Alice Hotel as well as the dilapidated and run down wartime housing that could be found in the area. These places have been replaced by high-priced condos, inhabited by well-heeled residents. So why are people like Lower Lonsdale activist Sue Cook using negative hyperbole over a few unresolved incidents of nefarious activities that occur in most towns and cities throughout the world? Quite simply it must be frustration."

The editorial clearly describes how the claims are exaggerated. Unfortuantely, the article text as presented does not present a balanced view of the issue; instead, it sounds more like an effort to draw attention to the problem. Moreover, it is just not relevant or notable to an international audience. Does that make it any less of an issue for the residents of the area? Certainly not, but we have to remember that Wikipedia isn't a community board, or a site for "calls to action" regarding neighbourhood issues. I've been accused of trying to "whitewash" the issue, which is rubbish - the article doesn't criticize the Lower Lonsdale area, but neither does it heap praise on it. Thoughts? --Ckatz^chat_spy 05:08, 20 September 2007 (UTC)

You say that the issues are not relevant to an international audience? Why not, exactly? It's been said before, and it'll be said again: You are WHITEWASHING the issues of crime and social disorder in Lower Lonsdale. Just the fact that the media covers this same story time and time again means that it IS an integral part of the neighbourhood's character. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.80.196.98 (talk) 06:58, 5 November 2007 (UTC)