Lookey Loos

[alexaslani]

I live on stellar dr and my house did not get burnt down.... but in order for me to leave my palce no matter what way i go i se destruction.. i try to avoid oakaview because... it is a depressing site. But the worst thing about this whole thing is the Lookey loos. The people that comin driving up to look at the destruction not only do they drive at 10km/hr and pull over and stop but they are all over the place pointing and takin pictures. it is really annoying and bugs not only me but my neighbours...

[Guest]

The thing about Looky Loos is that it is human nature to want to look and see what has happened to our city. This fire is in the history books and the people of Kelowna want to be able to see what has happened so they can say they survived it.

The people up in Crawford have complained about people driving up there to see the damage but can those people honestly say that they themselves haven't walked around their neighbourhood to see what has happened to their community? Can they honestly say that once they were let back into their homes, they stayed inside all day and never looked out of their windows?

You can bet your boots that they have.

I myself have driven up to Crawford because I spend a lot of time in the area as I have family friends and friends of my own that live up there.

The damage in the areas that were detroyed is going to be there for quite some time. People can't be expected to avoid the area for the next 2 years until everything gets back to "normal"

I see nothing wrong with going for a drive in the area but getting out of your car and taking pictures or burnt down houses is a little disrespectful and rude.

[Flipper]

Actually the lookey loos could be of an advantage with the numbers that have been going up to these areas combined with the 5000.00 fine they could be given may it is just their way of trying to contribute to the rebuilding. If they are not to be there then the Police should start handing out the fines they say they can and donate to the rebuild process

[LouLou]

Its not illegal to be in the neighborhoods. If people are allowed to live there then the public roads are open.

I also think it is human nature to want to see the reality of the disaster. I feel for the residents of the neighborhoods though. They do have so much to contend with that the Lookey Loos only intensify the stress. I understand there is a crazy lady on Canyon Falls road who is accousting drivers in her Cul de Sac and trying to start fights. Very stress woman.

I live in Springvalley and experienced increased traffic when they widened Springfield. Those people heading to and from Black Mountain etc. ripped through the neighborhood with no regard for the children or the upset they were causing. It was stressful and we didn't have the trauma of the fire to contend with.

I hope everyone takes a big breath and realizes that they are living real historical moments here and behave in ways that are respectful.

[amberlori]

I was just out sitting on my step watching the looky loos drive by (you can always tell them by the pointing fingers at the burnt down areas), and what surprised me was the number of children in the cars.
Why are these people bringing their kids? It's showing them that it's "okay" to go up and gawk at peoples misery.
I still haven't gone around our area. I used to drive down curlew and lark to get my mail, but now I avoid it, I still want to cry. I just don't understand the "entertainment" value of this...I just don't get it.

[Amanda]

Would you be able to tell me if 301 Stellar Drive burned? I am originally from Kelowna, living in Barrie, Ontario now and one of my old friends lives at 301. Please let me know! Thanks!

[sjg]

I am very frustrated at people being labled a "lookey loo". We, as residents of Kelowna, have just as much right to go through the grieving process as any of the residents local to the Mission area. My deepest sympathies go out to those most affected by this fire but keep in mind that all residents of Kelowna were affected by this fire. We all have a right to see what the fire has done to our beautiful town. Watching the news or looking through binoculars from Dilworth or Knox does nothing. We need to be able to see up close and personally what this fire has done.

[JR]

Hello,I am very upset with the people in the burned out areas,I sympathize with what you have gone through but at the same time I too have been effected by the fire,you people need to remember where the funds are coming from and how the community came together for you,and for us as a whole community.

[omanju44]

>:(My girlfriend's house was one of the first homes to burn down and shortly after the road was open to the public the lookey loos came out in full force,Taking videos of her crying and trying to clean up is totally ignorant and I can not believe how many idiots out there are trying to prove to us how cruel they can be.You lookey loos have no rights when you tie up traffic and will not let the residents of that area to go about their daily routine.Pull over at least!And please if you want to take photos at least do not come onto their property and taking photos with my girlfriend being upset.
I wish sometimes you guys would go thru the same thing so I can see you and your spouse crying while I snap pics.
Getting into town from the lower mission the other took me almost an hour,Pull over you idiots!Learn to be polite and pull over.Maybe leave a tree or a plant for these people,My girlfriend lost everything and she doesn't need to see every tom,organ and harry sneaking onto her property for photos.

[JR]

I can't believe that you wish that our homes would have burned just so you can see us cry,we are human and curiosity gets the best of us.I did cry for all that lost their homes that is why I had donated money to the fire relief fund and continue to do so.My home to was almost lost too and going into these areas to see what I can do to protect my property from getting burned is not a bad thing.

[CarleysHarley]

I dont see anything wrong with kids seeing the destruction that the fire has caused. Do you realize that these kids are the ones that will be living in these burned out areas and are the ones that NEED to learn from this devastation so that they may prevent it from happening again long after you are gone! The children need to "see" with their own eyes so that they understand. They have young minds and everything they hear is very "literal" for them. When the fire was burning, we could see it from our front deck. I told my husband that it looked like it was in the front yard and our daughter actually thought that it was in the yard and we were going to burn up. It was not until we took our daughter for a very short and unintrusive drive did she realize that she was safe and she then understood what was happening. Try to think from someone elses point of view. It is not always about "victim".

[Curious1]

Could someone please give me a definition of who the "Lookey Loos" are?

I've been reading the posts and can't quite figure out who these people are and whether I qualify as a mourner or a "Lookey Lou."

I understand they are the ones with cameras and who drive a 10 Kms/hour but I know for a fact that a lot of the locals in the neighborhoods have been taking pictures as have the media and lots of relatives and friends. From what I can gather everyone has to drive a 10km/hr.

If your neighbor from around the corner takes a picture of your destroyed house is she/he a "Lookey Loo?" If her/his house is also destroyed does that make it ok?

If your 2nd cousin from Armstrong comes and looks at your burnt out property...is he a "Lookey Lou?" or is it acceptable because he is related? (as long as he doesn't look at your neighbors house/property).

If you used to live in the neighborhood (time frame?) is it acceptable to look at the old property as long as you don't look at the neighbors unless you personally know them?

I am confused and would like one of the affected survivors to give me some information. I may qualify to view some properties and allow myself some closure. Thanks.

[MyParentsHouse]

people who live in the areas and they are not in a DEVISTATED area...they should be able to grieve the fire...Up in mom and dad's area the traffic has been nuts...you can't even get up Lakeshore for people even pulled over....the road itself can't house two cars side by side let alone 3....If you are in the way...MOVE. I personally feel that if you need to see it....go look...We go up to the house at least 1x a week to grieve...and to see the fire devastation....the devistation only you can see by seeing it first hand. Looky loos show they care...and they need to deal too...As long as they are not on the property...I think it is okay...

[sheera]

Our family has been in kelowna for over fourty years, we have seen many thing's in the way of growth and progress.This community was in the world's eye over this disaster.Congrat's and a big thank-you to all that helped to make this a better place after the diaster.Look in the mirror-if you helped in any-way be proud.I'f you exploited or caused grief to unfortunate neighbours be ASHAMED. Unfortunatly rotten apples come in every barrel.WHEN? will it be considered appropriate to drive into the south slopes of kelowna and not be considered a looky-loo.Our family has relatives living in this area that weren't burn't.What is expected of us when we drive by these sites? don't look?? Human nature is in all of us.PLEASE see the other guy's point of view in this.GOD-BLESS and BEST WISHES for the unfortunate few.

[Curious1]

(Note that I said, 'come to grips', not 'find closure'. When I hear the trend-speak word 'closure' or any of her ugly sisters, I gag. I despise the ridiculous inanities of modern-day trend-speak.)

***Sorry to offend you Dirtwhacker...I left the 80's 13 years ago and haven't looked back. I'm sure some people thought the same about those that had to "grip" everything too.