CRIME: Busing it in

The city wants to provide a large mass transit center in Riverstone to aid a small group of people without vehicles. Sounds nice. But, in reality, the downside is alarming and jeopardizes our safety and quality of life.

Bus depots and crime are synonymous. Transit stations increase the homeless population and bring many undesirable problems — traffic, vagrancy, vandalism, graffiti, trash, noise — even gang activity! Look at Spokane. Google the Spokane crime cluster map and see its highest crime corridor surrounds the Greyhound Bus Station, a common Catch-22 throughout the country!

Coeur d’Alene is a desirable destination; this transit center will be a conduit to “bus” in inner-city problems into our backyards. Double down by inviting Greyhound Bus Lines and the resulting problems will overwhelm our small town. Moreover, our police are understaffed and have no budget to expand services.

I’m not against helping those in need, but decisions must include logic. The cost of helping so few at the expense of future crime problems is not good government! Even providing taxi/Uber vouchers would be cheaper and SAFER.

Nip crime in the bud now before this Trojan horse does damage!

Voice your opinion to the commissioners online at http://kcgov.us/ or attend the Board of County Commissioners meeting at 6 p.m. May 2 in the Administration Building, 451 N. Government Way, Rooms 1A and 1B (next door to the DMV).

D. MORGAN VERNON

Coeur d’Alene