Those opposed to BORC should pay attention to Winnipeg's first homicide of 2019

It didn't take long.  Winnipeg experienced its first homicide in 2019 on January 1.  I don't know any details but I knew about it prior to the press reporting such.  I just happened to drive by the home which is occurred on January 1.  There were six police vehicles in total surrounding the property including two police identification vans.  The next time I drove by, two days later, the idenification vans were still there but only one additional police car. 

In their news conference, the Winnipeg Police department said that the home was "known" to the police.  Having your home "known" to the police is not a good sign. 

The media interviewed several neighbours.  Some were angry.  Most were just exhausted.  The home was not only known to police, but it was known to the neighbours as well.  They described it as a home were there was significant drug activity.  Neighbours said that for a while they had not felt safe in their own homes.  Some neighbours had lived in their homes for decades and had children and grandchildren.  The home needs a great deal of tender loving care.  From what we are led to believe, the owner fell onto some hard times, and made some bad choices.  It is unlikely that the owner will be able to have the emotional resources to provide that at this point.  No matter what happens to that home, it will likely always be the "murder home" and will bring down property values in the immediate area. 

The deceased was 31 years old.  Two men have been charged, an 18 year old and a 22 year old.  Three families that will never be the same.  The deceased died of a gunshot wound.  The homicide occurred at about 6 am.  I don't go to many gathering that are still going at 6 am.  I go to fewer gatherings where I know people will be carrying weapons.  I know I would be fearful living next to a home that is known for drug activity, has parties until 6 am, and has guests that have guns. 

People who are opposed to the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre being located at the abandoned Vimy Arena site have interesting and flawed arguments.  They think their property values will decline.  Actually, their property values will increase.  Having a brand new state-of-the-art facility in the neighbourhood will lead to a rise in property value.  The area is economically stagnant and this will stimulate the area by bringing in more jobs and more activities.  The people opposed to BORC don't want to have addiction in their area.  There isn't an area in the world that doesn't have addiction although some areas may be able to hide it better.  Regardless, the facility is not about addiction, it is about recovery.  If you have talked to any addict, regardless of the substance, at some point, they express a desire to change, to walk away.  It may be only for a fleeting moment, but it happens.  The problem is that there are few resources for people when they have that moment.  The Bruce Oake Recovery Centre will provide that resource.  It won't be enough, though.  We need many more centres, but this is a start and will provide much needed hope. 

I keep thinking about (some) of the neighbours of the closed Vimy Arena and their opposition to the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre. 

Then I think of the neighbours of the Nairn Avenue home that was the site of Winnipeg's first homicide in 2019.   I bet those neighbours would give anything to have a Recovery Centre in their area. 

No one chooses to live in an area in which a home is "known" to police.  Sadly, it is almost inevitable that something unpleasant will happen.  But, if you ask the police, there are homes known to them in almost every area.of the city.  Addiction, particularly methamphetamines, are not choosy and don't care how long people have lived in he area.  They will find their way in to any cracks. There is not a good pest control company that can provide protection.  There is only one thing that may keep it out.  Hope. 

If you have an opportunity to bring hope into your area, you should take it.  Opportunities such as this are rare.  Choose hope and recovery.  There will still be tragedies no matter what we do, but it is still nice to hang on to some hope.