After our report in the Winnipeg Sun revealed that certain voices in the poverty industry promote downplaying property and other offences committed by homeless lawbreakers, a listener raised an important question:

"Is there any limit to what City Hall will tolerate as survivalcrimes? "

In Part 1 of Episode 35 we explore his concern, about the lax attitude of local authorities to thieves stripping copper they steal and store in riverbank encampments:

"Being a tradesperson, I was once warned that cyanide is released when the vinyl wire casing is burned... Never mind air quality warnings about northern forest fires, how about neighbourhoods being warned when thieving scum are burning off wire and creating smoke that is thousands of times more toxic than that of burning trees?"

That's a "survival crime" that poisons riverbank communities- yet it's been tolerated.

12.35 Part 2- A letter sent this week to Mayor Gillingham and City Councillors provides evidence of the ground-floor effects of "survival crimes" being tolerated by Winnipeg civic leaders.

"Not-for-profits are redefining criminal behavior in ways that downplay the break-ins, thefts, and violence ourcommunity experiences daily. This is not sustainable. We are creating a climate where the most vulnerable: seniors, children, people with disabilities, and those struggling with addiction are at constant risk."

Sent by the housing chair of the Point Douglas Residents Committee, it poses troubling questions about how taxpayers in he neighborhood are treated like third-class citizens as drug-fueled mayhem stalks them daily.

"I am frustrated and disheartened by the disparity in attention and response Point Douglas receives in terms of basic city maintenance and bylaw enforcement."

In one example, a problematic property on a short connecting sidestreet couldn't be found by bylaw officers walking right past it. It's the only lot on the street. Another example is how a graffiti complaint puts callers in the position of interpreting the markings, a job that should be done by paid staff.

"311 then asked if the graffiti is hateful or threatening. I am not an expert in graffiti or gang symbols. Is this the standard? That graffiti is only actionable if it is explicitly hateful? Graffiti of any kind should be considered a livability violation no matter the content. It lowers property values, invites crime, and reinforces the broken window theory that neglect fosters further decline. "

The total ineptitude towards the embattled area puts both the head of the Bylaw Division, Winston Yee, and Police Chief Gene Bowers on the spot- and they were both questioned directly in the email. Will they respond?

It all makes her wonder if there's a hidden agenda because "This level of discrepancy sends a clear message about which communities matter... the lack of basic care and enforcement in Point Douglas is so persistent that it feels intentional. "

Marty Gold brings all the details, including actionable items presented by the PDRC (don't tell Dan Lett).

Hear our additional insight into the encampment-driven crisis facing residents east of Main Street. Gillingham, city councillors like Vivian Santos, and health authorities are ignoring them - because acting on it hurts the "harm reduction" reputation of the government-funded experts enabling these "survival crimes".

Related - Our Wednesday column in the Sun, City budgets close pools, but funds a jungle gym on Waterfront

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