Alberta Premier Danielle Smith took to Twitter over the weekend to comment on pictures posted by the Western Standard of the continued chaos that plagues the Edmonton transit system..In recent months, some say the homeless and drug addicts have taken over the system causing complete disorder and apparent confusion..Taxpayers have taken to social media to vent their frustration with the City of Edmonton. Addiction and homelessness have affected every community in Alberta, with Edmonton being especially hard hit.."These images are disturbing. Edmonton deserves better," Smith said on Sunday..The pictures were of an Edmonton transit bus which had its camera equipment destroyed and was taken over by "the methman" a witness claimed..The driver had to lock themselves in a washroom nearby the witness added..The incident occurred on January 22. More than $5,000 worth of damage was caused to the bus..The 20-year-old man has been charged by the Edmonton Police Service.."A male acting erratically entered a bus that was parked at the Northgate Transit Terminal located at 137 Avenue and 97 Street through the open rear door. The bus was unoccupied at the time, the EPS told the Western Standard in a email Monday.."The male caused significant damage to the interior of the bus before reportedly exiting the bus with an ice pick that he had located on the bus. It was reported that he then threated a female who was standing outside." .With Air1 assistance, police quickly located the 20-year-old suspect and charged him with a number of offences including mischief over $5000.."@MikeEllisUCP @edmontonpolice and the task force have my full support to not only provide compassionate care to those suffering addiction but also ensure reliable public safety across our capital city," Smith said..READ MORE: Edmonton resident to carry bear spray for safety while riding LRT.One resident said he saw a drug addict moving a couch into the train the other night. Others complain about security guards who let addicts shoot up drugs in stations.."Sohi Station has really let itself go. They have allowed the LRT to become out of control and unrideable for women and children. It is homeless shelter, shooting gallery and open pit bathroom. Rider safety no longer matter," one Twitter user said.."This is a very concerning and disturbing scene that we’ve been hearing about all too often. Citizens, businesses, and community leaders have raised many concerns regarding safety while taking transit and walking down the street. People in Edmonton have rights," Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis said.."They have a right to take transit with a sense of security for their well-being, a right to walk in their community free of harm, a right to be free of civil and social disorder. For those that need help, a right to begin a path to recovery.".Ellis noted that the UCP government has a responsibility for the safety of all members of the public.."That is why our government created Edmonton Public Safety and community response task force. The task force is focused on collaboration between municipal and provincial officials combined with expertise brought by community leaders to find meaningful solutions to social disorder," Ellis said.."We are working diligently to find solutions that will have real impact to improving public safety by helping by along a path to recovery. Help is on the way soon."
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith took to Twitter over the weekend to comment on pictures posted by the Western Standard of the continued chaos that plagues the Edmonton transit system..In recent months, some say the homeless and drug addicts have taken over the system causing complete disorder and apparent confusion..Taxpayers have taken to social media to vent their frustration with the City of Edmonton. Addiction and homelessness have affected every community in Alberta, with Edmonton being especially hard hit.."These images are disturbing. Edmonton deserves better," Smith said on Sunday..The pictures were of an Edmonton transit bus which had its camera equipment destroyed and was taken over by "the methman" a witness claimed..The driver had to lock themselves in a washroom nearby the witness added..The incident occurred on January 22. More than $5,000 worth of damage was caused to the bus..The 20-year-old man has been charged by the Edmonton Police Service.."A male acting erratically entered a bus that was parked at the Northgate Transit Terminal located at 137 Avenue and 97 Street through the open rear door. The bus was unoccupied at the time, the EPS told the Western Standard in a email Monday.."The male caused significant damage to the interior of the bus before reportedly exiting the bus with an ice pick that he had located on the bus. It was reported that he then threated a female who was standing outside." .With Air1 assistance, police quickly located the 20-year-old suspect and charged him with a number of offences including mischief over $5000.."@MikeEllisUCP @edmontonpolice and the task force have my full support to not only provide compassionate care to those suffering addiction but also ensure reliable public safety across our capital city," Smith said..READ MORE: Edmonton resident to carry bear spray for safety while riding LRT.One resident said he saw a drug addict moving a couch into the train the other night. Others complain about security guards who let addicts shoot up drugs in stations.."Sohi Station has really let itself go. They have allowed the LRT to become out of control and unrideable for women and children. It is homeless shelter, shooting gallery and open pit bathroom. Rider safety no longer matter," one Twitter user said.."This is a very concerning and disturbing scene that we’ve been hearing about all too often. Citizens, businesses, and community leaders have raised many concerns regarding safety while taking transit and walking down the street. People in Edmonton have rights," Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis said.."They have a right to take transit with a sense of security for their well-being, a right to walk in their community free of harm, a right to be free of civil and social disorder. For those that need help, a right to begin a path to recovery.".Ellis noted that the UCP government has a responsibility for the safety of all members of the public.."That is why our government created Edmonton Public Safety and community response task force. The task force is focused on collaboration between municipal and provincial officials combined with expertise brought by community leaders to find meaningful solutions to social disorder," Ellis said.."We are working diligently to find solutions that will have real impact to improving public safety by helping by along a path to recovery. Help is on the way soon."
