The downtown core of Maple Ridge is facing mounting frustration from local businesses, with the latest concerns coming from Garden Hill Cremation and Funeral Services. On Tuesday, May 14, the business took to social media to share a video highlighting the recent damage they've suffered, including a broken window and destroyed garden areas.

Nate Logue, representing Garden Hill, expressed his frustration: “This is not something I would normally do but we have reached out to many avenues for support and are getting nowhere. The city of Maple Ridge will be losing another business in the downtown core if things don’t begin to change. Over 40 years my family have run our business, and there have always been small issues, but we have kept quiet. Until now.”

According to Logue, this incident marks the fourth window broken in just two weeks, alongside daily occurrences of vandalism. “We are constantly cleaning up needles, human feces, people’s garbage and anything else you can think of. These issues are costing our business money and unnecessary stress on the grieving families we serve,” he explained.

The social media post drew several supportive comments, including one from Kevin Nosworthy who stated, “This is totally unacceptable and it’s time that we hold these deadbeats accountable. We continue to support them with our tax dollars so they can vandalize family businesses like yours.”

In response, the Ridge Meadows RCMP issued a press release acknowledging the video and confirming they are in contact with the business owners and have launched an investigation. The RCMP emphasized their commitment to ensuring the safety of residents and businesses in Maple Ridge’s Town Centre.

Const. Tisha Parsons highlighted initiatives such as Project Dovetail and Project Sentinel, which focus on maintaining high visibility and fostering positive relationships within the community. Starting May 22, the RCMP, in collaboration with the City of Maple Ridge, will host pop-up community safety tents. These tents aim to provide support to local businesses and offer a platform for residents to discuss their concerns with police. The community safety tents will be set up weekly at various locations and times, which will be announced in advance.

As the community and local law enforcement work together to address these issues, it remains crucial for businesses and residents to continue voicing their concerns and supporting one another in maintaining a safe and thriving downtown area.
 
For further details check out the news article below:

https://www.mapleridgenews.com/news/downtown-maple-ridge-funeral-business-plagued-by-vandals-7361569