Dear Editor,

I am a 63 year old resident of Courtenay. I frequently run along Anderton Avenue, cross Fifth Street by going under the bridge, and then on to the Courtenay Riverway to the marina and back. I frequently pass unhoused people who are camping or sitting on the bank below the car park, or under the bridge. Some of these people greet me as I run. Never once have I felt threatened -- until Monday.

On Monday August 19 after going under the bridge my way up the steps was blocked by a man and a woman sitting on the steps, openly smoking substances from a glass pipe. I shrugged as I was forced to stop and walk between them, and the man aggressively asked:

"What's your f----- problem?" I told him that he was blocking the steps.

"Who f----- cares?" I told him that I did.

"F--- you"

I managed to run past and continue my run. They weren't there on my return.

There wasn't much point in phoning the police (even if I'd had my phone with me) -- after all, I was intimidated but not actually threatened, and it seems that open drug use is tolerated.

Something needs to be done about open drug use and anti-social behaviour in this town and in this province. I am as sympathetic as anyone when it comes to poverty, homelessness and addiction -- but I don't see why I should be afraid to cross Fifth Street under the bridge (the only safe route). The police should have the power to prevent drug use in public spaces and to prevent blocking of footpaths. It's not as though the police and the City of Courtenay don't know it's happening.