Coquitlam RCMP is investigating a death threat made against a Port Coquitlam politician.
Coun. Dean Washington told the Tri-City News today, Nov. 14, that he received an anonymous email last Friday, Nov. 8, suggesting harm to him.
Because of the criminal case, he declined to comment on the contents of the email or if it was sent to his personal or council address.
Washington said he forwarded the message to the city, which referred the matter to police.
He said he has since taken precautions by not being out in the public as much; Mounties also boosted security for Washington and council during the Remembrance Day service on Monday, Nov. 11.
The municipality did not respond to questions because of the RCMP investigation; however, in a statement issued on Nov. 13, it wrote that “city council strongly condemns any individual or group responsible for this threat."
"Acts of violence and intimidation undermine the foundation of democracy and civil discourse," the release added.
"No elected official, city staff member or resident should ever face threats or violence for their role in our community or for exercising free expression. City council members and staff remain committed to serving the city and working toward a respectful, safe political environment where debate and differing viewpoints can occur without threats of harm."
Coquitlam RCMP was not immediately available for a response.
In September, the Tri-City News reported on comments made by Washington and Coun. Darrell Penner before Coquitlam RCMP’s Supt. Darren Carr, at a committee meeting.
Carr, who was speaking about PoCo’s second quarterly report on crime trends, cautioned Washington on his remarks about the unhoused at 3030 Gordon Ave. in Coquitlam, a homeless shelter on the border with Port Coquitlam.
During the open meeting, Washington described the unhoused as “people that don’t want to work.”
“I’ve been shocked at how many new people that don’t want to work are in the downtown,” he added.
Still, despite the police chief’s warnings, Washington continued to voice his frustrations about the facility and homelessness, in general, in PoCo’s downtown.
Washington was away for the next committee meeting, but Coun. Penner doubled down when a resident challenged him during question period and he refused to apologize for calling 3030 Gordon “a government-funded crackhouse.”
Washington said he's since had a lot of support in the community — and opposition.
“I don’t regret it one bit,” Washington told the Tri-City News of his September comments.
“People are tired of it […] You should see how much money we spend on the RCMP to deal with this facility. About 25 per cent of their calls are for 3030 Gordon.”
“We also spend on bylaws and fire to attend,” he said. “BC Ambulance will not go in there without a police escort now. This is out of control. There’s been no progress.”
Washington said crime is down in Port Coquitlam, but repeat offenders are impacting the quality of the community.
Coquitlam response
In July, Coquitlam council sent letters to BC Housing, provincial and federal ministers and RainCity, the operators of 3030 Gordon Ave., to outline the city’s concerns with the facility “including operational challenges, costs and impacts to city services and resources.”
City staff said emergency personnel and bylaw enforcement attend the shelter every day.
Specifically, Coquitlam is seeking:
- stable provincial funding for services to support the unhoused/street entrenched, including healthcare, overdose prevention services, outreach and peer support, and referrals to provincial agencies for other supports (i.e., income assistance, housing and access services)
- support for the Tri-Cities’ community-based, coordinated response to homelessness through the Tri-Cities Homelessness and Housing Task Group with permanent funding and resources
- provincial funding and improved management of operational impacts around 3030 Gordon Ave., in line with the Good Neighbour Agreement that was established when the shelter was provided
- construction of a day-time hub within the Tri-Cities
- funding and framework for more and improved shelter and housing services
- increased coordination between BC Housing and other ministries and government agencies
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