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Residents ask La Ronge council to thin trees in area deemed unsafe
La Ronge deputy mayor Viviana Ruiz-Arcand spoke to council as a ratepayer at a regular council meeting Tuesday about a crime-ridden area within the municipality.
She, along with East Crescent resident Meghan Beaven, told council illegal activities are occurring in a treed space between Churchill Community High School, La Ronge Child Care Co-operative, and the Mel Hegland Uniplex. Ruiz-Arcand, who is also the vice-principal at Churchill, submitted photos of litter, drug paraphernalia and vandalism she found in the area.
“As recent as two weeks ago, we had a youth from the community overdose in the bushes,” she said. “As recent as today, there were youth drinking in the bushes. It’s becoming an area for high illicit activity.”
Ruiz-Arcand explained insufficient attention and upkeep have allowed the area to be a problem for at least the last 25 years. She told council she has witnessed individuals using the space to consume drugs and alcohol.