Homeless man’s drug use on West Vancouver trail alarms resident

A homeless person’s drug use and the deplorable condition of a local West Vancouver trail have prompted a citizen to write to the District and demand action.

A resident has recently written to the District to express frustration over what they described as “the most deplorable conditions imaginable” along the popular trail. In a letter to the municipality, the resident detailed daily garbage accumulation, discarded items, and drug use in the area, which they say poses a safety risk to families, seniors, cyclists, and pedestrians using the path.

The letter described the area beneath the underpass as “more akin to a ghetto than the civilized walkway of just a few years past. “We are quite fed up and look to the District to ensure this area is kept in good order. Further, the individual who creates most of this mess, uses the area as a place to do drugs and when he is not playing with his trash, can often be found lying on the ground in a drug-induced state. Typically, this includes the lighting of fires which could easily get out of control during periods of dry weather,” the citizen wrote.

The resident also claimed to have undertaken cleanup efforts and urged the District to install barriers such as rocks or shrubs, increase garbage pickup, and implement more frequent police patrols to deter illegal activity.

“This portion of the Pac-Cap Trail is used by hundreds of people daily, including families with young children, teenagers, hikers, workers on their way to Amica, bicyclists trying to enjoy their day off and many seniors like ourselves. It is unfair that people walking along the trail beside the banks of the Capilano River have to walk through the garbage and past someone who is high on drugs. Certainly, not something that anyone wants to be exposed to, especially young individuals,” the senior wrote.

In response, the District acknowledged the complaint and confirmed that staff and West Vancouver Police have been “working for some time” with the individual in question. In a written statement, the District said bylaw officers, police, and outreach organizations such as the North Shore Lookout Housing and Health Society are engaged in ongoing efforts to support and connect the person with housing and health services.

“There are several factors that must be considered, including the safety of the general public, and appropriate support and compassion for those that are unhoused,” the District said, noting that homelessness is a complex issue and services cannot be imposed on individuals without consent.

District staff assess such situations on a case-by-case basis and conduct regular cleanup operations in the area, though they note staffing limitations prevent daily maintenance. “For staff safety, [they] will not perform clean up work when the individual is in the area,” the District added.

The trail, which forms part of the Pacific Capilano Trail network, remains a well-used route for residents and visitors alike. As the District continues to navigate the intersection of public access and social service outreach, tensions remain over how best to maintain the space for all users.