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POLICY REPORT
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Date: October 1, 1998
Author/Local: NEdelson/7444RTS No. 98
CC File No. 8104
TO: Vancouver City Council FROM: General Manager of Community Services SUBJECT: A Program of Strategic Actions for the Downtown Eastside
Public Response and ImplementationRECOMMENDATIONS
A. THAT recommendations below from the “Program of Strategic Actions for the Downtown Eastside” (set out in Appendix A) which relate to City operations, originally dated July 17, 1998, be approved with amendments as shown:
A1. THAT Council direct the Chief License Inspector, in cooperation with the Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood Integrated Services Team, to continue to ensure aggressive enforcement of:
i) applicable by-laws against businesses with negative impacts in the Downtown Eastside; and
ii) the Standards of Maintenance By-law in SRO accommodations in the Downtown Eastside.
A2. THAT Council direct the General Manager of Community Services and the Manager of Real Estate Services, in consultation with the Economic Development Commission, to report back by March 1999 on proposals to attract legitimate businesses to Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside; and on the development of an economic revitalization program as proposed in the National Crime Prevention application.
A3. THAT Council authorize Outdoor Street Programming, on a trial basis until the end of 1999 to be operated by the Carnegie Centre at a cost of $150,000 for 1998 and 1999, with $20,000 for 1998 from Contingency Reserve; andA4. THAT the Mayor invite the Minister of Health, the Attorney General, the Minister of Children and Families, the Minister of Municipal Affairs, the Minister of Human Resources and the Minister responsible for Housing to meet as soon as possible to discuss implementation of the proposed intergovernment and community program to address Downtown Eastside issues as proposed in the National Crime Prevention funding application.
B. THAT the remaining proposals in the Program of Strategic Actions which have not been actioned and the proposed Strategic Actions as shown in Appendix B be endorsed as an initial agenda for work proposals with government partners and the community concerning the Downtown Eastside.
C. THAT staff give immediate priority to several short-term projects which will help improve conditions on the street and encourage better working relationships among groups in the area.
D. THAT Council request the Police Board to consider providing the high level of police visibility in Chinatown, Gastown and along Hastings Street that was provided during this summer’s special initiative.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Given the proposed budget reductions in 1999, the City Manager recommends that D be amended as follows to request the Police Board to reallocate resources:
THAT Council request the Police Board to reallocate resources to provide the high level of police visibility in Chinatown, Gastown and along Hastings Street that was provided during this summer’s special initiative.
The City Manager recommends approval of the above recommendations with D as amended.
COUNCIL POLICY
On July 28, 1998, Council confirmed the following principles to provide general guidance to Downtown Eastside actions and planning:
… Housing for existing residents will be maintained and upgraded;
… Diversity of housing will be encouraged;
… Adequate services for treatment of addiction must be provided;
… Criminal activity will not be tolerated;
… Legitimate commercial activity will be encouraged; and
… The entire community will be encouraged to be part of the revitalization of the area.PURPOSE
This report outlines the preliminary public response to A Program of Strategic Actions for the Downtown Eastside, dated July 17, 1998, recommends several amendments based on that response and proposes the next steps in a process for involving community stakeholders and all levels of government in defining a common future for the area.
BACKGROUND
On July 28, 1998, Council referred the recommendations contained in the report, A Program of Strategic Actions for the Downtown Eastside out for review by other government officials and the public. It also received the following reports for information and instructed that they be provided as background for discussions on planning the future of the area: Background Paper on Drug Treatment Needs in Vancouver; A Housing Plan for the Downtown Eastside, Chinatown and Strathcona; The Victory Square Area Concept Plan; and the Gastown Land Use Plan. Reports on policy options for and economic implications of managing SRO conversions are being prepared for public discussion later this year.
Since July,
… more than 850 copies of the package of reports were distributed to community groups, individuals and government officials;
… public meetings were held at the Carnegie Community Centre, Chinese Cultural Centre, Gastown Actors Studio, and Strathcona Community Centre which were attended by more than 400 people;… three meetings of representatives of a wide range of community and business groups were held to provide an overview of the reports, to review the recommendations of the Program of Strategic Actions and to begin to plan next steps;
… staff met with representatives of various organizations to begin to review the Program of Strategic Actions in further detail including: Carnegie Action Committee; Chinatown Historic Area Planning Advisory Committee; Chinese Merchants Association; Downtown Eastside Residents Association; Downtown Eastside Strathcona Coalition; Downtown Vancouver Association; Gastown Business Improvement Society; Gastown Historic Area Planning Committee; University of British Columbia; VanCity Enterprises; and Vancouver Urban Core Workers. Further meetings will take place during the autumn with Vancouver’s Coalition for Crime Prevention and Drug Treatment and representatives of other local and citywide groups; and
… discussions were held with the Vancouver/Richmond Health Board and BC Federal Liberal Caucus as well as senior staff from various provincial and federal ministries. Further meetings with other elected officials and staff are being scheduled for later in the autumn.
DISCUSSION
The Program of Strategic Actions is based on the premise that drug addiction and associated crime are having a devastating effect on the livability of the Downtown Eastside and surrounding communities. It proposes more than seventy actions to reduce these impacts and to improve conditions on the street and in the low-income housing stock. It also suggests working toward intergovernmental structures, in cooperation with the community and the private sector, to address these difficult issues on a sustained basis.
City staff and the Vancouver Police Department have also been developing a submission for funding from the National Crime Prevention Program. This application, the subject of a companion report to Council, builds on the proposals in the Program of Strategic Actions toprovide a structure and resources for the intergovernment-community-private sector approach.
Preliminary Public Response
The first step of the public process was to get the reports out as quickly as possible to many interested groups and individuals in the community as well as to relevant government agencies. The purpose has been to gather preliminary comment—especially about the Program for Strategic Actions—so that the City could begin to act right away in areas where there is a good deal of agreement. To properly interpret the initial responses, it is important to note that consultation had to begin during the summer. This has not given some groups adequate time to fully understand or comment on the reports in detail. Thus much of the commentary we have received is from individuals, many of whom have not yet had an opportunity to secure the concurrence of their organizations.
However, all the sessions were well attended—with between 80 and 150 at each of the public meetings. More than 60 people, reflecting the views of a broad range of interests, participated at the meetings of community group representatives.
Appendix C contains a summary of the questions and comments raised at the meetings. Appendix D shows the results of survey questionnaires. It is important to note that these results only give a very approximate indication of support. They do not constitute a scientific sample as they were voluntarily filled out by some of those individuals who attended each meeting. However, these documents provide a starting point for identifying areas of agreement and of concern. In addition, since each questionnaire was signed, they will be helpful in identifying people who may be interested in working on specific issues. Recent letters and petitions staff have received are on file with the City Clerk.
Overriding Messages
Of the overriding messages received thus far, there have been many positive indications that the program has broad support:
1. Individuals and groups with differing perspectives care passionately about the future of the area. Some have begun to discuss their differences and have expressed interest in seeking common ground, at least on some issues.
2. There is considerable interest in the City’s initiatives. Many people have attended meetings, filled out surveys and expressed interest in participating in future work. Almost everyone attending the meetings agrees with the key objectives of the Program of Strategic Actions and with moving as quickly as possible to implement a comprehensive program to address most of the issues identified, especially providing detox and drug treatment and reducing the impacts of the drug trade.
3. Several organizations based outside the area including the Downtown Vancouver Association, University of British Columbia and the VanCity Enterprises have already expressed interest in helping.
4. Staff and elected officials from the Vancouver/Richmond Health Board and some senior government ministries have expressed interest in working to better coordinate public investments and regulation in the area.
5. The special Police initiatives in Gastown, Chinatown and along Hasting Street this summer were broadly supported and helped many residents, business people and visitors to feel safer.
However, there have also been several strongly held negative messages:
1. There is a great deal of frustration and anger with the municipal, provincial and federal governments for having allowed the problems to become so serious before trying to comprehensively deal with them. There is little understanding of, or willingness to acknowledge, the differing roles and responsibilities of the different levels of government.
2. Some people (from a variety of perspectives) believe that the City and other governments and agencies have helped (whether intentionally or not) to create the problems and may be supportive of policies which will maintain or worsen the status quo.
3. There is a concern that all levels of government focus on the short term and will not work together on sustained, cooperative and effective efforts to address the controversial issues.
4. There are broadly held fears that the drug-related problems may not be solved quickly enough to stop the area from continuing to deteriorate and/or to prevent the deaths of hundreds of addicts.
5. Many have expressed skepticism that the significant disagreements between some groups in the community can be resolved.
Commentary on Recommendations in July 17, 1998 Council Report
Preliminary survey results, key comments and staff conclusions concerning recommendations A through K in the July 17, 1998 Council report are summarized below. It is important to note that a significant majority of survey questionnaire respondents at each of the public meetings “agreed” with all of the recommendations. Concern was expressed about the following:
A. Approve the following objectives:
1: Reduce the incidence of drug addiction (see B below)
2: Reduce drug-related crime (see C below)
3: Improve conditions at the street level (see E, F, H and I1 below)
4: Improve SROs and build low-income housing
Some people argued that a by-law on managing the conversion of SRO hotels was a high priority needed to protect the existence of the low-income community. Others argued that there is an over concentration of low-income housing and that priority should be on closing badly managed hotels and building replacement housing in other communities. It was also suggested that upgrading heritage buildings containing SROs should be a priority.5: Help community seek a common future
A number of people argued that it will be difficult, if not unrealistic, to attempt to fully resolve many of the deeply held and long standing conflicts in the community. However, there was general agreement that on some issues elected officials will haveto make tough decisions and that action should not have to wait for community consensus (see I2 below).B. Implement effective drug treatment services
There was considerable agreement with the need to reduce the incidence of drug addiction and interest in working together to secure needed resources, especially detox, “safe ride”, and residential treatment. However, there is disagreement about the most effective ways of achieving this objective and about where facilities should be located.
C. Aggressively pursue violent crimes and major drug offences
While there was considerable support for this recommendation, some people argued that the sense of lawlessness is so profound that all crimes should be aggressively pursued at this time; others argued that as policing increases, it is important protect the rights of low-income people who are trying to survive under difficult circumstances. Given the limited resources available for policing and court sentencing practices, more discussion will have to take place in the community to help establish appropriate priorities and the role of local residents and business people in community policing.
D. Apply for funding from the National Crime Prevention Fund
This recommendation is being pursued through a companion report on the Downtown Eastside Community Revitalization Program.
E1. Aggressively enforce liquor outlet violations
There is considerable support for reducing the number of liquor-licensed seats in the area and reducing the impacts of poorly managed pubs and cabarets on the community. However, some people rated this as a lower priority and expressed concern that low-cost drinking establishments are needed as a “living room” for many SRO residents.
E2. Regulate high alcohol beverages (rice wine)
Many people indicated these beverages are having a significant impact on the area. Most were in favour of regulating these beverages and in working with local businesses to stop their inappropriate sale or unintended use. Some concern was expressed that if the price of legal beverages is high, some low-income people will use solvents or other more dangerous intoxicants.
F1. Reduce negative impacts of problem premises
There was general support for this, but some people rated it a lower priority.
F2. Ensure owners maintain livability of SROs (see A4 above)
G. Request BC funds for people with mental illness
There was general support for this proposal, especially for increasing housing and services for people with mental illness in other communities.
H. Attract legitimate business to Hastings Street
There is considerable interest on the part of community, business and educational organizations to help revitalize Hastings Street. There were suggestions that there be some emphasis on retaining heritage buildings and including the potential benefits and costs of area’s historic character in the economic revitalization strategy. Some concern was expressed that care is taken to not discriminate against existing legitimate business when incentives are offered to attract new businesses. Some people weighed this as a lower priority than addressing drug and crime issues; others cautioned that it will be difficult to attract new businesses until drug-related crime has been reduced.
I1. Fund Outdoor Street Programming
A number of people commented on the importance of Carnegie’s regular programming at Oppenheimer Park and of the success of recent events such as the Chinatown Evening Market, Jazz Festival in Gastown, Walls of Change and DERA’s 25th Anniversary Celebration. Community input is needed to ensure the program contains an appropriate mix of events to help bring legitimate activity to various parts of the street and serve the area’s diverse population. There is some concern about where programming should begin and how much emphasis to put on activities near existing public facilities such as the Carnegie Centre, Pigeon Park and Victory Square
(The original Strategic Action program suggested funding of $110,000 for street programming. This report recommends increasing funding to $150,000 to permit more programming at more locations than originally contemplated. This will make the program more visible throughout the neighbourhood and permit more synergy with existing programs as well as extensions into new areas. Programming willclosely monitored and systematically evaluated to ensure that it accomplishes the explicit objectives established for it.) Some people rated this project a lower priority. Others were concerned that Carnegie might not be able to serve all constituencies.
I2. Help communities work together
This recommendation includes carrying out an assessment, in consultation with community leaders, of how conflict resolution and mediation resources might best be used. Some people expressed concern about funding a consultant to assist with this initiative. Some questioned the need for “consensus” or the likelihood it can be achieved on many issues. Others felt it is essential to have outside, “objective” assistance, if groups are to work together more effectively. See A5 above for additional comments.
J-K Political Implementation
There is a recognition that much of this work must take place between elected officials and staff from the three levels of government to ensure initiatives are better coordinated and sustained. There is interest in developing appropriate linkages to the community. Concern was expressed that processes do not become so cumbersome that they get in the way of the need to act.
Special Policing Initiative
This summer a Special Policing Initiative provided additional police along Hastings Street during the morning to reduce the visibility of the drug trade, in Chinatown on the weekends to reduce property crimes and to improve the public perception of safety, and in Gastown on Friday and Saturday nights to reduce the impacts of licensed establishments. There is considerable support to extend this form of visible policing throughout the year. The Police Board should be requested to consider continuing this positive initiative. It has also been suggested that this program be carried out in consultation with the local neighbourhood safety offices so that officers in this program are introduced to the community and local residents help monitor the program’s success and can easily access police and establish informal “appeal” processes for individuals who feel they have not been fairly treated.
Additional Recommendations
Suggestions were made to give higher priority to address the impacts of street prostitution, to provide additional services to ensure the safety of women, and to meet the special needsof Native people and people with disabilities. Concern was also expressed that a strategy to address problems associated with the drug trade, which have begun to migrate to other neighbourhoods, be developed and implemented as soon as possible.
Next Steps
There are many initiatives that must be undertaken as quickly as possible to improve conditions in the Downtown Eastside and surrounding communities.
1. Intergovernmental Linkages
Discussions among elected officials and staff from the three levels of government are being scheduled during the autumn. These include a meeting of the City Caucus and establishment of working groups to begin negotiating a formal intergovernmental “Urban Development Agreement”. The application to the National Crime Prevention Strategy proposes a structure and resourcing to make intergovernmental work, in consultation with and using community resources, feasible.
2. Initiatives with the Community
Staff will undertake several short-term projects which can help improve conditions on the street and encourage new working relationships among groups in the area. The following appear to have significant community support from a variety of perspectives. Interested individuals will be asked to participate and to help create processes within short time-lines.
The following may be achieved relatively quickly:
I) prepare a by-law to regulate and strictly enforce the hours of operation of problem premises in the Downtown Eastside and surrounding communities (staff will report on this initiative, which has been enabled by recent Charter changes, on October 20);
ii) begin Outdoor Programming to promote positive street activity in the area along and near Hasting Street between the Carnegie Centre and Victory Square Park, including Pigeon Park (the proposed budget for this has been increased to cover a wider area and greater variety of programming);
iii) improve public amenities, including public access to washrooms and telephones; and
iv) complete negotiations to develop a sobering centre.The following are starting points for important medium- and longer-term initiatives:
v) increase public awareness of the need for drug treatment;
vi) work with the Liquor Control and Licensing Board and the community to reduce the impacts of use of high-alcohol-content beverages such as rice wine as illegal intoxicants while ensuring that these products are readily available for legitimate use; and
vii) prepare a preliminary economic revitalization strategy to attract legitimate business to the Downtown Eastside, with a focus on Hasting Street.The medium- and longer-term issues are best facilitated through the intergovernmental structures which will be established through the National Crime Prevention funding. If this funding is not received, alternative formal structures will have to be established.
3. Public Review of Policy Plans
Public discussions on the draft policy plans for housing, Gastown and Victory Square will continue as appropriate. The process will include public meetings and open houses, meetings with community and business groups and others who have either previously been involved or who express interest.
4. Other Strategic Actions
On July 28, 1998, Council instructed staff to report back on a detailed process for involving all community stakeholders and responsible governments in defining a common future for the Downtown Eastside. This will be done later in the year after the community has begun to work together on several of the immediate priorities, initial meetings with other governments have been held and a decision has been made by the federal government about funding for the Downtown Eastside Community Revitalization Program. In the meantime, the Strategic Actions proposed in the July 17, 1998 Council report should be endorsed as an initial agenda for work proposals with government partners and the community (see Appendix B).
While these Strategic Actions will provide a basis for initial discussions, more detailed action plans will require considerable effort. As the review of the public discussion indicates, even where there is agreement on an objective, there may not be agreement on how the objective should be pursued, or on priorities for action. Further, othergovernment agencies and the community will need to be involved in setting priorities and identifying how best these Strategic Actions can be implemented.
CONCLUSION
There has been considerable public interest in the Program of Strategic Actions and the other City reports on drug treatment, housing, Victory Square and Gastown. Many local residents and business people are frustrated and angry about the lack of a coordinated intergovernment effort to address the serious problems facing the Downtown Eastside and surrounding communities. However, there appears to be a willingness on the part of a number of groups in the community to try to begin to work on several specific projects. Some projects are geared to yield small, but quick improvements to the area’s livability. Others are no more than starting points to move toward addressing the complex issues of drug addiction and drug-related crime and to providing significant public and private initiatives over a sustained period of time. This work will be facilitated by the National Crime Prevention funding.
Unprecedented commitments will be required from all levels of government and all segments of the community. This will be difficult, but the alternative is unacceptable.
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Key Recommendations
A Program of Strategic Actions for the Downtown Eastside
October 1, 1998(Note: underlined text denotes amendments
to the original recommendations from July 17, 1998)A. THAT the following principles be confirmed to guide the Program of Strategic Actions for the Downtown Eastside:
i) Reduce the Incidence of Drug Addiction;
ii) Reduce Drug-Related Crime;
iii) Improve Conditions at the Street Level;
iv) Improve Existing SROs and Build Replacement Low-Income Housing; and
v) Help Community People to Find Allies and Seek a Common Future.B. THAT Council urge the Minister of Children and Families and the Minister of Health (through the Vancouver/Richmond Health Board when appropriate) to implement, as a matter of urgency, effective and adequate drug detox and residential treatment services at appropriate locations in the Lower Mainland and throughout the Province.
C. THAT Council urge the Attorney General and the Minister of Justice to direct Crown prosecutors to aggressively pursue violent crimes and major drug offences involving cocaine and heroin, including seeking higher sentences.
D. THAT Council direct the City Manager and Chief Constable to bring forward for Council’s approval an application for funding to the recently announced Federal community safety initiative for the Downtown Eastside.
E. THAT Council urge the Attorney General to instruct the Liquor Licencing Board:
i) to implement aggressive enforcement of all violations of liquor regulations in liquor outlets in the Downtown Eastside; and
ii) to regulate the sale of high alcohol beverages such as rice wine and that once it is regulated to aggressively enforce all violations involving its sale in the Downtown Eastside.
F. THAT Council direct the Chief License Inspector, in cooperation with the Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood Integrated Services Team, to continue to ensure aggressive enforcement of:
i) applicable by-laws against businesses with negative impacts in the Downtown Eastside; and
ii) the Standards of Maintenance By-law in SRO accommodations in the Downtown Eastside.
G. THAT Council request the Minister of Health and the Vancouver/Richmond Health Board to meet with Council to discuss how funds established for accommodation and support of people with mental illness can be directed to eligible members of the Downtown Eastside community.
H. THAT Council direct the General Manager of Community Services and the Manager of Real Estate Services, in consultation with the Economic Development Commission, to report back by March 1999 on proposals to attract legitimate businesses to Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside; and on the development of an economic revitalization program as proposed in the National Crime Prevention application.
I. THAT Council authorize the following programs:
i) Outdoor Street Programming, on a trial basis until the end of 1999 to be operated by the Carnegie Centre at a cost of $150,000 for 1998 and 1999, with $20,000 for 1998 from Contingency Reserve; and
ii) Testing potential for a program to help resolve differences and build common community interests at a cost of with $20,000 for 1998 from Contingency Reserve.; (this is now part of National Crime Prevention application)
AND THAT staff report back on results of these programs in mid-1999.
J. THAT the Mayor invite the Minister of Health, the Attorney General, the Minister of Children and Families, the Minister of Municipal Affairs, the Minister of Human Resources and the Minister responsible for Housing to discuss implementation of the proposed intergovernment and community program to address Downtown Eastside issues as proposed in the National Crime Prevention funding application.
K. THAT Council direct staff to pursue the following to secure the ongoing participation of senior levels of government and the public in implementing the Program of Strategic Actions for the Downtown Eastside:
i) convene the ‘City Caucus’ of elected representatives of all governments to initially discuss the Program for Strategic Actions and cooperation on these and other actions as soon as possible;
ii) create a tri-governmental ‘Downtown Eastside Sponsor Committee’ of elected officials to oversee implementation of the agreed upon actions in this Plan, reframe this Plan for cross-government consensus and monitor ongoing work;
iii) create a tri-governmental ‘Downtown Eastside Staff Committee’ to provide a mechanism for Provincial and Federal Governments to effectively fulfill their responsibilities with the City and to coordinate direct actions in the area and support the ‘Sponsor Committee’; and
iv) develop an advisory linkage, including local community, business and other interests, to the ‘Sponsor’ and ‘Staff’ Committees and all ongoing programs.
A Program of Strategic Actions for the Downtown Eastside
Prepared by:
City of Vancouver
October 1, 1998(Note: underlined text denotes amendments
to the original report from July 17, 1998)Objective 1: Reduce the Incidence of Drug Addiction
Recent Actions the City Has Taken:
June 1997 Formed the Vancouver Coalition for Crime Prevention and Drug Treatment.
June 1997 Initiated development and offered land for a new sobering centre in cooperation with the Province.
Dec 1997 Social Planning joined the Ministry for Children and Families (MCF) Drug and Alcohol Management Committee to help provide input in Provincial service development.
April 1998 Council adopted motions to:
A) Request a meeting with the Vancouver/Richmond Regional Health Board to discuss their broad policy directions in relationship to services concerned with intravenous drug use and addiction.
B) Communicate to the Premier of the Province and the Minister of Children and Families the desperate need for drug and alcohol treatment facilities in the City of Vancouver and the GVRD, and that the communication include Council’s request that alcohol and drug matters be given the highest priority status and be relocated back to the Ministry of Health.
June 1998 Hosted Vancouver’s International Symposium on Crime Prevention and Drug Treatment on June 12-13, 1998.
Actions the City Can Facilitate with Others:
1.1 Urge the Minister for Children and Families and other relevant Provincial and Federal ministries as well as the Vancouver/Richmond Health Board to meet their mandated responsibilities by:
a. Securing continued funding by January 1999 for a program to transport intoxicated people to needed services.
b. Funding and completing development of a Sobering Center by March 1999.
c. Developing a Detox for intravenous (IV) drug users.
d. Establishing Residential Treatment Programs and Outpatient Treatment Programs for IV drug users.
1.2 Consider the City’s role in helping to develop the proposed Resource Center for IV Drug Users when the Terms of Reference are clarified. They are likely to include programming objectives, location criteria and public process.
1.3 Continue to have Council and staff advocate for prevention, detox and residential and out-patient treatment programs in neighbourhoods throughout the Lower Mainland. These should provide a full range of services aimed both at achieving abstinence and reducing harm, including:
a. New resources to meet the specialized needs of youth, women and children, the mentally ill, aboriginal people and people whose first language is not English. This should include drug and alcohol counselors, detox beds and recovery treatment beds.
b. Drug and alcohol prevention programs through the schools and public awareness campaigns.
c. Drug-free housing with appropriate support services should be located throughout the Lower Mainland.
d. Exploration of alternative forms of drug treatment programs for heroin and cocaine users.
1.4 Continue to support that Needle Exchange programs should be located throughout the Lower Mainland.
Objective 2: Reduce Drug-Related Crime
Recent Actions the City Has Taken:
April 1992 Opened Chinatown Neighbourhood Safety Office
April 1995 Opened Gastown and Strathcona Neighbourhood Safety Offices.
Sept 1995 Opened Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood Safety Office.
Aug 1996 Improved interdepartmental coordination to deal with second hand stores and pawn shops.
… Zoning was amended to prevent new second hand stores and pawn shops from opening in the area.
… $80,000 in stolen property was seized from August 1996 to March 1998.
… 66 charges, involving 47 businesses, have been laid since August 1996.
… Six licenses were suspended.
… Two licenses were canceled.Sept 1996 Increased number of Police walking the beat from 16 to 26 on a temporary basis.
… Police records indicate a general decrease in most criminal activities by at least 10% from 1996 to 1998.
Nov 1996 Formed Downtown Eastside Integrated Services Team to deal with problem premises.
… 3 businesses agreed to voluntarily close by 2:00 AM.
… 13 licenses were suspended; 6 licenses were canceled.
… required applicants for potential problems premises to meet with community; 4 proposals have been withdrawn or amended.
… published regular problem premise status report.
… developed checklist so all inspectors and Police can record priority infractions.Jan 1998 Required a business plan and Good Neighbor Agreement for all new businesses and license transfers in the 100 block W. Hastings to the 100 block E. Hastings.
Apr 1998 Increased the number of Property Use Inspectors from two to three in this area by relocating an inspector from another area.
July 1998 Increased the number of Police walking the beat to 36.
Actions the City Can Take Immediately:
2.1 Deal more effectively with problem premises in the Downtown Eastside which support the drug trade by instructing:
a. P&L, Police and Law to provide resources to hold at least 12 show cause hearings per year by July 1999.
b. P&L to require existing businesses which have been cited for by-law infractions and all new service and retail stores to sign "Good Neighbour Agreements" by March 1999.
c. Planning, P&L and Law to bring forward Zoning and other by-law amendments to help prevent new businesses which are likely to support the drug trade by March 1999.
Further Actions the City Can Take with Others:
2.2 Develop an inter-governmental coordinated strategy to reduce the import and sale of illegal drugs by requesting:
a. Police to meet with RCMP and relevant Provincial and Federal ministry staff, and report back to the Police Board on a strategy by December 1998.
b. Elected officials from the 3 levels of government to meet by December 1998 to review how resources can be secured to significantly reduce the amount of illegal drugs available in the Lower Mainland.
2.3 Meet with appropriate elected officials and staff from senior levels of government by December 1998 to advocate that the:
a. Federal government strengthen the Immigration Act by December 1999 so that illegal refugee claimants involved in drug trafficking or violent crimes can be deported quickly.
b. Provincial Attorney General and Federal Minister of Justice direct Crown prosecutors to pursue all drug-related violent crimes and major drug dealing aggressively, including seeking higher sentences.
c. Provincial Attorney General develop by December 1999, appropriate diversion programs to provide drug treatment for addicts in the criminal justice system and programs which require the perpetrators of property crime to provide restitution to their victims or service to the community.
d. Province amend the Vancouver Charter to enable the City to:
… regulate the hours of operation of businesses.
… apply licensing regulations geographically (e.g., to help prevent the over concentration of businesses which have neighborhood impacts).
… charge owners through the Property Tax role for any administrative, policing and inspection costs to the City for administering the securing of vacant buildings.
… renew business licenses on their anniversary date, rather than December 31, so that P&L can better focus on conditions under which licenses for problem premises are renewed.2.4 Instruct P&L and Law to work with Provincial staff and to report back by December 1998 on expediting enforcement of by-law infractions.
2.5 Request that the Downtown Eastside, Gastown, Chinatown and Strathcona Neighborhood Safety Offices, in consultation with Police and the Integrated Service Teams, report back by June 1999 on strategies to help reduce crime through the involvement of local residents and businesses, and on volunteer recruitment and training programs.
2.6 Instruct the City Manager and Chief Constable to bring forward for Council’s approval by October 1998 an application by for funding to the recently announced Federal community safety initiative for the Downtown Eastside.
Objective 3: Improve Conditions at the Street Level
Recent Actions the City Has Taken:
Aug 1996 Improve appearance of lanes by increasing the City's lane cleaning resources and working with United We Can to involve street people in more detailed lane clean-up on a periodic basis.
July 1996 Adopted a Downtown Liquor Licensing Policy which includes the following to deal with the neighborhood impacts of pubs and cabarets:
… give favorable consideration to applications for changing the Liquor License Class of establishments which decrease hours of operation or numbers of seats in or near residential areas.
… support the development of voluntary associations of local pubs and cabaret owners to help monitor the behavior of problem clients and encourage implementation of Good Neighbour Agreements.Oct 1996 Participated in Provincial reviews to regulate and reduce the sale of high alcohol content beverages such as rice wine.
Jan 1998 Improved security of vacant buildings in and near the Downtown Eastside by establishing interdepartmental policies.
… P & L sent letters to owners of six vacant buildings warning that they must secure their buildings or that the City will take action.
… two owners have voluntarily agreed to make their buildings more secure and to hire guards who report to City staff daily.Apr 1998 Approved the following Engineering measures to improve the physical appearance along Hastings Street between Gore and Cambie:
… continue City lane clean-ups, three nights weekly ($120,000 per year).
… power wash sidewalks ($8,000 per year).
… clean-up tree bases and carry out needed sidewalk repairs ($20,000).
… fund United We Can to hire inner city residents to provide detailed clean up of small debris on sidewalks and lanes weekly within a 21 block area ($50,000 for one year).
… place 12 litter receptacles at strategic locations to supplement the existing 17 receptacles and empty all of them nightly ($3,600 capital cost).
… remove on-street graffiti and repaint poles ($1,000).
… improve street lighting ($77,000 capital cost).
(Note: funds came from existing budget reallocations.)Apr 1998 Funded programs to improve the appearance of hoards:
… Engineering to remove graffiti and where necessary, replace hoards on vacant buildings along Hastings Street ($4,000, with paint donated from industry).
… Carnegie Center Association’s "Walls of Change Project" to hire local artists to paint murals on hoards ($33,500).Apr 1998 Park Board agreed to provide $10,000 to:
… plant 60 new and replacement trees in the Downtown Eastside.
… improve landscaping in Oppenheimer and Andy Livingstone Parks.
… increase litter removal for Oppenheimer Park.Actions the City Can Take Immediately:
3.1 Bring business back to the storefronts of Hastings Street between Gore and Cambie by:
a. Instructing Community Services and Real Estate Services, in consultation with the Economic Development Commission, to report back by March 1999 on proposals to attract legitimate businesses to Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside:
i. Funding consultant resources to initiate a Hastings Street Revitalization Program by January 1999 with an advisory group made up of representatives of local and downtown businesses, educational institutions, arts organizations, community groups and City staff.
ii. Committing funds as the City’s investment in attracting or developing at least one demonstration storefront business venture on Hastings Street to help draw other new businesses to the area. This should provide needed services such as a moderately priced restaurant, a grocery store, or a laundromat, as well as training and employment for low-income residents.
iii. Instructing staff to report back by March 1999 on a strategy and funding requirements for filling all the vacant storefronts on Hastings Street between Gore and Cambie.
b. Instructing the City Building Inspector to continue to facilitate the reoccupation of vacant storefronts along Hastings Street and, if necessary, to report back on any regulation changes and relaxations needs to help attract new businesses.
3.2 Further improve the physical conditions of sidewalks, lanes, hoardings street furniture and parks by:
a. Monitoring conditions, with Engineering reporting back on the effectiveness of ongoing projects and resource needs.
b. Giving favourable consideration to supporting community-based projects which enhance the appearance of the public realm and contribute to community building such as:
… community clean-up events.
… the Carrall Street Connection between Maple Tree Square and the Chinese Cultural Centre.
… projects which involve hiring local residents to provide special levels of clean-up, maintenance and building security.3.3 Fund the Carnegie Centre to provide outdoor programs to help animate the streets and local parks, with an emphasis at Pigeon Park and in front of the community centre.
3.4 Reduce the impacts of pubs and cabarets in the Downtown Eastside and Gastown by instructing:
a. P&L and Police to work with establishment owners and the Provincial Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) to reduce the number of licensed seats in the area by at least 1,000.
b. Planning to prepare zoning amendments which prevent new cabarets and large hotel pubs in the area by January 1999.
c. P&L give favourable consideration to applications for new cabarets, only if they are tied to a decrease in cabaret or pub seats elsewhere, especially in the Downtown Eastside and Gastown (while taking into consideration the viability of SRO hotel rooms).
d. Police and P&L to work with owners of existing pubs and cabarets to form a group similar to “Bar Watch” and to enter into Good Neighbour Agreements by January 1999.
e. Request the Police Board to have Police strictly enforce laws against drunk driving starting immediately.
f. Engineering and Police, as part of the Gastown Parking Plan, to review by December 1998, parking options that may reduce the conflicts between late-night entertainment patrons and local residents.
Further Actions the City Can Take with Others:
3.5 Deal with the impacts of licensed establishments by:
a. urging the Attorney General to instruct the LCLB to implement aggressive enforcement of all violations of liquor regulations in liquor outlets in the Downtown Eastside immediately and to regulate the sale of high alcohol beverages such as rice wine by July 1999.
b. instructing P&L to work with the LCLB to increase the level of enforcement against over-serving by increasing the length of suspensions for infractions.
c. instructing P&L and Police to work with the LCLB and local businesses to help ensure high alcohol beverages such as rice wine are not sold to minors or people with alcohol addictions and to regulate the sale of high alcohol beverages such as rice wine by July 1999.
Objective 4: Improve Existing SROs and Build Replacement Low-Income Housing
Recent Actions the City Has Taken:
1995 Instructed staff to work with the community and affected businesses to develop a Housing Plan and a program to manage the conversion and demolition of SRO hotels and rooming houses.
1995-1997 Committed $2.1 million in land lease write downs and $3.4 million in grants (1997 dollars) for 478 units in social housing projects replacing lost SRO units including Bantleman Court (15 units), New Portland Hotel (87), Van City Place (50), Bridge Housing (47), Bruce Eriksen Place (35), Victory House Site (33), Chinese Benevolent Society (44) and Vancouver Native Housing (100).
1997-1998 Integrated Services Team has increased the number of regular inspections of every SRO hotel from three to five times per year and is carrying out 2 early warning joint inspections per month for hotels which appear to be deteriorating.
Actions the City Can Take Immediately:
4.1 Enforce the Standards of Maintenance By-law by laying charges for infractions immediately, closing individual rooms which violate the Health By-law and ensuring resources are available for any needed show-cause hearings.
4.2 Continue to monitor changes in the SRO stock and, if necessary, manage their conversion to other uses.
Further Actions the City Can Take with Others:
4.3 Continue to advocate that the Federal government provide additional funds to the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program for SRO building upgrade through the City Caucus as well as national, provincial and municipal housing groups.
4.4 Form a task force of elected officials, local residents and business people and others to advocate that low-income housing and services are provided throughout the Lower Mainland.
4.5 Request that the Provincial Minister of Health meet with Council to discuss how funds established for accommodation and support of people with mental illness can be directed to eligible members of the Downtown Eastside community.
Objective 5: Help Community People to Find Allies and Seek a Common Future
Recent Actions the City Has Taken:
Mar 1998 Helped facilitate discussions among different local interest groups through meetings about potential problem premises, the proposed Carrall Street Connector, a community-based Downtown Eastside Clean-up event, and informal sessions on how business can help deal with local issues.
Actions the City Can Take Immediately:
5.1 Funding consultant resources, starting by November 1998, to help resolve differences between different groups within the area and to identify issues and determine the resources which would be needed to help build on common community interests.
PUBLIC RESPONSE TO STRATEGIC ACTIONS
Minutes of Public Meetings1. Community Leaders Meeting
Wed., August 12, 1998 at Vancouver Community College
Recommendation A:
THAT the following principles be confirmed: i) Reduce the Incidence of Drug Addiction; ii) Reduce Drug-Related Crime; iii) Improve Conditions at the Street Level; iv) Improve Existing SROs and Build Replacement Low-Income Housing; and v) Help Community People to Find Allies and Seek a Common Future.… Nothing is said about increasing market housing or business opportunities in the area.
… Where will treatment centres be located? Objectives are good but more details needed.
… Need to hurry actions. City is slow to do anything.
… Does “reducing drug addiction” mean “prevention” or “treatment”?Recommendation B:
Implement, as a matter of urgency, effective and adequate drug detox and residential treatment services at appropriate locations in the Lower Mainland and throughout the Province.… Need to include other Federal and Provincial ministries, not just B.C. Ministry of Children & Families and B.C. Ministry of Health. For example, the B.C. Ministry of Human Resources should be included because of its role in job creation.
… Since there is no money available now, our time is best spent on deciding what treatment programs are needed. When funding is secured, we will know how to allocate it.
… Public pressure will be needed to help in obtaining funding for treatment centres.
… All new drug-related facilities and programs need to be drug-free (i.e. don’t want programs like “safe fixing” sites).Recommendation C:
Aggressively pursue violent crimes and major drug offences involving cocaine and heroin.… B.C. Government doesn’t prosecute drug offences, jurisdiction of federal Minister of Justice.
… Street crime biggest concern - until treatment is available, it needs to be controlled.
… Crime can be reduced by legalizing certain drugs and giving it to addicts - that way they don’t have to steal to get money to buy drugs.
… It should be “zero tolerance” for all crime, not just violent crime and drug offences.
… Revenue generated by sale of property seized from convicted drug criminals should be put back into the community, not in general revenues of government.
… Since most crime is alcohol-related, not drug-related, reducing the usage of rice wine will have a much larger impact on reducing crime.
… Sentencing is a problem: it is too lenient for violent crime, let alone street crime.
… We need more information on sentences being given to people convicted of violent crimes.
Recommendation D:
Apply for funding to the recently announced Federal community safety initiative.… Should be community-based, not City-based, although City should assist.
Recommendation E:
i) implement aggressive enforcement of all violations of liquor regulations in liquor outlets;… Reducing number of liquor seats in the DTES is a high priority - reduce by 1,000 seats.
… If legitimate liquor outlets are gone, 24 hr. stores and bars will be only places to buy alcohol.
… Reducing number of liquor seats would regulate the drinking habits of poor people, not of the upwardly mobile, because the bars that would be closed would likely be bars for the poor.ii) regulate and aggressively enforce the sale of high alcohol beverages such as rice wine.
… Regulations on rice wine would have most impact on Chinatown - the City needs to get the Chinatown merchants’ position on this issue.
… Rice wine drinkers should be asked how reduced access will affect them. It may be more detrimental to those whom we are trying to help. Rice wine only became popular after regulations were imposed on ginseng brandy. If rice wine is regulated, what is next? Lysol?
… Need to consider the economic impact of strict regulations on rice wine.
… Instead of regulating rice wine, which would force it into an underground economy, why not reduce price of legitimate beer & wine, so that beer & wine is chosen, not rice wine.Recommendation F:
Ensure aggressive enforcement of: i) applicable by-laws against businesses with negative impacts; and ii) the Standards of Maintenance By-law in SRO accommodations.… Ensure that the Strathcona Neigh. Integrated Service Team is included as part of the process.
… The types of businesses being referred to should be more clear before action is taken.
… Management of SROs is important as well as maintenance.
… Should look into creating winter time accommodation for those who live on the street.Recommendation G:
Discuss how funds established for accommodation and support of people with mental illness can be directed to eligible members of the Downtown Eastside community.… Need to ensure facilities for people with mental illnesses are in every community. Some municipalities, like Richmond, have by-laws which prevent facilities from being built.
… Facilities must include adequate levels of service, not just physical space for people.
… DTES can provide a model and show that it’s not a bad thing to have mentally ill in a community. That may be all we can do besides lamenting that other communities are not taking them. It’s difficult to change their by-laws.
… City should take aggressive action so that other communities accept and build facilities.
… Should consider impact of putting mental patients in DTES when they have a hard enough time taking care of themselves as it is.
… Too many people with mental illness in DTES already.
Recommendation H:
Report back by December 1998 on proposals to attract legitimate businesses to Hastings Street.… What is a “legitimate” business? Don’t want bias towards businesses that cater to tourists, that aren’t rooted in the community, that take away social space or would make residents feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. Don’t want revitalization like International Village.
… Should talk to people who have, or had, legitimate businesses on Hastings to discern what is needed to keep them, have them return. How can we attract when we can’t keep?
… Attempts by Japanese community to revitalize Powell St. have failed. Many businesses have left. Don’t limit program to Hastings St. - Powell and Cordova Sts. should also be included.
… Lack of business on Hastings is because of too many drug addicts and criminal activity.
… Lack of business on Hastings is also because there are some building owners that are holding onto the properties for land speculation, and they don’t really want tenants until they sell.Recommendation I:
Authorize: i) Outdoor Street Programming, at a cost of $110,000 per year; and ii) a program to help resolve differences and build common community interests at a cost of $60,000 per year.… Financing level being suggested appallingly low. Substantial increase needed.
… Should get the money now.
… IV drug users need City support: they have problems accessing Carnegie programs and have conflicts with security and staff.
… There needs to be a community consensus prior to start-up in order to make it successful.
… Spending $60,000 on consultant is only useful if a facilitator is included to help the different groups talk to each other.
… Consultant should not be associated with any group in the DTES so they are not biased.
… $60,000 on a consultant who is an “outsider” is a waste of money - it’s important to have someone who understands all the issues.Recommendations J & K:
Mayor to meet immediately and every six months thereafter with senior government ministers to review progress; and i) convene the ‘City Caucus’ as soon as possible; ii) create a tri-governmental ‘Downtown Eastside Sponsor Committee’; iii) create a tri-governmental ‘Downtown Eastside Staff Committee’; and iv) develop an advisory linkage with local community.… List of ministers should include the B.C. Minister of Human Resources.
… The group must meet at least quarterly, rather than every 6 months.
… Will this be top-down or bottom-up approach? Both recommendations J & K appear top-down. There should always be 4 levels included: 3 levels of government and the community.2. Public Information Meeting
Tues., August 18, 1998 (afternoon) at Carnegie Community Centre
Drugs & Alcohol:
… There has been an increase in the sale of drugs on the street over the past year, mainly to people who don’t live in the area. Why don’t we crack down on those who come to the neighbourhood to buy and sell drugs?
… Many of the drug-dealers don’t live in this community. Why put $6 million into treatment when there still will be drug dealers outside when addicts finish the treatment?
… The funding for “safe-ride” is being withdrawn by the Province. Can the City do something?
… The police went to the stores selling rice wine and told them to stop, but they never did. Why don’t they do anything? Where are the police and the health departments?
… The drug treatment that is available now is not effective (e.g. methadone will also kill people and the needle exchange has encouraged more use of crack).
… I agree with controlling rice wine sales. It should be possible to close the businesses of people who sell illegally.
… It is necessary to understand why there is a drug market here. It started in the summer of 1989 when police pushed the drug market away from Mount Pleasant and Granville Street to Hastings Street. It has also been impacted by the gentrification of other areas that used to have cheap accommodation, like Kitsilano, Strathcona and Grandview.Crime:
… I’m concerned about the lack of police presence here compared to the level of crime in the area. How long will it be before there is more policing?
… “Zero tolerance” tends to mean police dispersing activity. The problems would be better addressed through social programs. I’m especially concerned about the term “zero tolerance” if it is applied to the Carrall Street corridor.
… Recommendation C should also say that adequate sentences should be given to perpetrators of violence against women and the report should mention the disappearance and murder of so many women in the DTES.Conditions on the Street:
… The buildings are dirty. Is there any money to clean them up?
… What model do you have in mind when you say revitalization?
… I’m concerned about the concept of street programs, especially about splitting the programming between Carnegie Centre and Pigeon Park. The programming should be done at the Carnegie Centre with some occasional programming at other parks in the area.
… There is no mention of the prostitution problem in the reports. It brings lots of traffic into the area and when my wife and I walk down the street we get harassed.Housing:
… I’m concerned about comments from the City Manager who says he doesn’t want to see displacement yet doesn’t want all low-income housing here either. What does this mean? He also thinks SRO conversion controls are controversial? Why?
… It seems that the focus for low-income housing is to preserve what’s here and to build new housing elsewhere, and at the same time bring in more market housing. It appears the goal is to weaken the low-income community.
… I’m concerned about the practice of displacing the hard-to-house people in the Downtown Eastside when new facilities are built.
… I’m concerned about the Housing Plan: it says to preserve the existing low-income housing and to encourage mixed-income housing. Yet when the low-income community asks for security through SRO conversion controls, we don’t get any action from Council.
… I’m concerned about people sleeping in alleys. I’ve called different organizations but there’s no answer after 10 pm.Process:
… The City says it can’t do it alone, however, I’ve offered my services to the police before, but all I’ve been given is red tape. I know which pawnshops are problems and I have a list of names of criminals who work in the area. How come no one cares?
… I’m concerned about the negative media attention this area gets and would like a more positive approach, especially when working in team environments.
… I’m afraid the agenda is to make way for the “Carrall Street connector” for tourists. If this happens, all you’d be doing is sweeping the problem under a carpet so our guests don’t see it.
… The report is very soft and not detailed enough on some issues.
… The report excludes groups such as women and the handicapped.3. Public Information Meeting
Tues., August 18, 1998 (evening) at Chinese Cultural Centre
Drugs & Alcohol:
… I support doing something about drug and alcohol treatment in the area. The loss of the detox facility has had a negative effect. Downsizing is not an option during an epidemic like this. I have been pushing the Province to get more treatment facilities. An “Addiction Research Foundation” is seriously needed.
… In the past 10 years, there has been lots of drug-related crime in Strathcona and the DTES. I am urging the governments to design a program to get to the root of problem and stop stalling. I hope the three levels of government will provide a detox centre away from the area.
… Containment of the drug problem in this area has happened without due process.
… Regulation or total ban on rice wine is needed.
… Resurrection of the “Safer” program is needed.
… There needs to be controlled access to illegal substances. There are programs in Europe where substances are distributed legally, are they being considered here?
… Most users want to get clean. We need a place for users, to get them off drugs and out of the neighbourhood. Don’t talk about what the Province will do, instead talk about what you (the City) will do. I want all of us to lobby the Vancouver/Richmond Health Board. We need your help and voice to get their assistance.
… The needle exchange program didn’t solve anything. We are sick of people with needles. If the government wants a clean place for addicts, let them create a clean place, but off the streets and away from this neighbourhood.
… I support a safe house outside the community. Safe houses/detox centres should be outside the Downtown Eastside. The people can clean up and then come back to the neighbourhood. If you do this, you will cut down on police costs and businesses will return and survive. Don’t try to solve the problem on the surface, go to the root of the problem.Crime:
… Many crimes are not reported and do not become a crime statistic. Delete your references to unsubstantiated statistics or put them in context.
… Policing has been erratic. Balanced enforcement is needed.
… There is blatant criminal activity observed and ignored by the police. The police strategy seems to be containment. Since pawn shops are the main focus of criminal activity, what are you doing to curtail them?Conditions on the street:
… Women, seniors and the disabled need more social programs.Housing:
No commentsProcess:
… Let’s get some action from City Hall. We want to get rid of the problem.
… Nothing is mentioned about Chinatown’s property taxes in these reports. We know taxes are calculated by provincial assessment, nevertheless, City Hall should make a concession and reduce our taxes given the poor services we receive in return.
… The problem has been going on for ten years already. Our community has written to City Hall many times. This meeting should have happened years ago.
… At the next meeting we should invite the Federal and Provincial government representatives to discuss these problems.
… This report encourages the same old stuff. I see no progress in this report.
… We have been fighting for a legal heroin maintenance program for a long time. I am against talking to another level of government because we know they are not going to do anything. We need to start here, at the community and municipal level.4. Public Information Meeting
Wed., August 19, 1998 at Gastown Actors Studio
Drugs and Alcohol:
… The treatment plan needs to be restructured. A detox centre has closed and addicts are falling back into drugs right after treatment. There are some good treatment centres out there that are struggling for funding. When are we going to do something to help them?
… The reports don’t mention anything about “safe fixing” sites. They would decrease criminal activity and save lives.
… Trials for legal use of heroin should be considered, especially in light of the medical emergency in this area. A simple prescription would prevent crime and death.
… When are you going to do something about methadone treatment? There are long waiting lists and it’s expensive. People are dying because they can’t get in. Why doesn’t the City put more money into it?
… The war on drugs is lost. I would like to see safe fixing sites which are staffed by nurses and outreach workers who can deal with overdoses. Drug addiction is a medical problem, but it continues to be treated as a criminal problem.
… A methadone treatment centre that you have to pay for? “Earth to City Hall, get real.”
… It’s hard for women who have to fight to get their kids back because there isn’t enough treatment. If there isn’t going to be more treatment how can they get their kids back?
… Legalization of drugs would deal with the drug dealers.
… The police should look at drug addicts from a medical point of view.
… Why do the police concentrate on the poor, small-time drug dealers and sellers? Get to the root of the problem, go to the wealthy areas of town and bust the big-time importers.
… Many of the dealers don’t speak English. Immigration is a problem.Crime:
… Over the years there have been many promises about law enforcement and action has been taken, but only for short periods of time, and usually during the tourist season. Instead of abandoning us, give us, the residents, more police protection.
… I have more of a hassle with the police than with the dealers. Police have never provided a solution to any significant problem down here.Conditions on the street:
… Unemployment is a big problem. We need job creation.
… Cleaning up the parks is purely cosmetic. A typical superficial government reaction.
… I don’t respect the police. I live at the Roosevelt Hotel and I was kept awake last night by police honking their horns and yelling to clear the street. They need to be educated.Housing:
… You say criminal activity won’t be accepted. If the City licenses SROs, why isn’t it doing anything about the illegal guest fees that are being charged?
… Who licenses SROs? They are death traps. Can’t the City punish those who leave buildings abandoned? I’ve tried to lease a storefront but can’t because they aren’t really for lease.
… What are your proposals for low-income housing alternatives to SROs? What about cooperatives which are a community effort?Process:
… I’m with the Gastown Homeowners Association, which has 900 members. We pay over a million dollars in property taxes to the City. We would like a closed door meeting with staff and Council like other groups have had. We feel we have been left out of the process.
… There is a common thread in this area, it’s called “fear”. Fear of crime, fear of losing your home or business, fear of being hit by a cop. We have to work as together as a community to make the changes we need. If we can’t get it right, they never will.
… City Hall has to listen to people here and take action. Stop saying you’ll do it, and just do it.
… How long before any of this is enacted?
… Get the message to City Hall that we’re mad. We can’t even get a discussion going. I’m sick and tired of waiting.
… The City is a small-time player in this. The community has a big role to play and so do other levels of government. How can we trust that anything will happen when the Feds are cutting back and walking away from services.
… You say you’re trying to get the community and business groups to work on community consensus. What are you offering them to do this and who are you working with? For example, when I talked to the Chinatown Merchants Association, they were more concerned with maintaining their businesses. What are you doing to encourage them to get more involved with the community?5. Community Leaders Meeting
Tues., August 25, 1998 at Vancouver Community College
Drugs & Alcohol:
… Treatment centres are not the answer, stopping the flow of drugs is the answer.
… Investment in new treatment beds is ridiculously low.
… Can Police not shift priorities and spending, shift from enforcement to treatment centres, etc.?
… How many detox centres are there in Vancouver, in the Downtown Eastside?
… How is it the same dealers stay on the streets, can’t we get them off permanently?
… Do we have accurate figures on how many dealers/users are from outside the area?
… How can we take the profit out of selling drugs?Process:
… “We must work together to generate the necessary political will.”
… “There is no one single solution, we need to work together to find as many solutions as possible.”
… Most Vancouver residents either don’t care about the DTES, or are totally oblivious to what’s going on there.
… City is moving too slowly.
… Report is all theory, they want action.
… Confusion about process, too much finger-pointing instead of problem solving.
… Reports are too long and complex, no one is reading them, want summary versions.
… Big meetings don’t work, too many disparate groups with disparate agendas, nothing gets done.
… (counter-point) big meetings are good, get to see and meet all stakeholders.
… Public doesn’t know what’s going on, problems need to be communicated to wider audience.
… Need to start communicating what’s good about DTES, it’s a community worth saving.
… City tends to pit groups against one another, need a better facilitator.
… If we wait until we get consensus we will never move forward, consensus will prove impossible.
… Nothing has changed in 10 years, why should we take this process seriously?
… Is there a shorter, summary-like version of the Reports?
… How can you get public support if you don’t go to the people, where’s the communication plan?
… At what point will the Federal and Provincial governments get involved?
… Going to Feds & Province will take more time, what can we, the community, do now?
… Where are the Native people at these meetings, consensus cannot be achieved without them?PUBLIC RESPONSE TO STRATEGIC ACTIONS
Questionnaire Results
1) Community Leaders Meeting (Aug. 12/98) AGREE? PRIORITY? ACTION? Number of responses: 19 YES NO HIGH LOW NOW LATER OBJECTIVES: A1. Reduce the incidence of drug addition 19 0 17 0 15 1 A2. Reduce drug-related crime 19 0 17 0 16 0 A3. Improve conditions at the street level 19 0 16 0 15 0 A4. Improve SROs & build low-income housing 17 0 14 1 11 3 A5. Help community seek a common future 17 0 15 1 15 2 DRUG TREATMENT: B. Implement effective drug treatment services 19 0 15 0 18 0 SAFE COMMUNITY: C. Aggressively pursue violent crimes and 17 1 15 1 14 1 major drug offences D. Apply for federal "community safety" funds 17 1 13 2 14 1 PROVINCIAL REGULATION OF ALCOHOL: E1. Aggressively enforce liquor outlet violations 18 0 14 1 15 1 E2. Regulate high alcohol beverages (rice wine) 14 1 11 2 11 3 AGGRESSIVE BY-LAW ENFORCEMENT: F1. Reduce neg. impacts of problem businesses 16 0 14 0 15 0 F2. Ensure owners to maintain livability of SROs 16 0 12 2 11 3 COMMUNITY SUPPORT: G. Request BC funds for people w mental illness 17 1 13 2 13 3 STREET LIFE: H. Attract legitimate businesses to Hastings St. 18 1 11 4 13 3 I1. Fund Outdoor Street Programming 17 0 10 6 10 3 POLITICAL IMPLEMENTATION: I2. Help communities work together 13 2 8 6 7 5 J. Meet with gov't ministers every 6 months 17 1 11 2 12 1 K1. Convene "City Caucus" as soon as possible 15 2 12 1 13 0 K2. Create tri-government "DTES Sponsor Cttee" 12 3 9 3 10 2 K3. Create tri-government "DTES Staff Cttee" 12 3 9 3 10 2 K4. Develop community links to Committees 11 3 8 3 9 3 PUBLIC RESPONSE TO STRATEGIC ACTIONS
Questionnaire Results
2) Public Meeting at Carnegie (Aug. 18/98) AGREE? PRIORITY? ACTION? Number of responses: 15 YES NO HIGH LOW NOW LATER OBJECTIVES: A1. Reduce the incidence of drug addition 14 0 12 0 12 0 A2. Reduce drug-related crime 14 0 12 0 12 0 A3. Improve conditions at the street level 14 0 10 1 11 1 A4. Improve SROs & build low-income housing 13 0 10 2 10 2 A5. Help community seek a common future 14 0 10 2 10 2 DRUG TREATMENT: B. Implement effective drug treatment services 15 0 11 0 13 0 SAFE COMMUNITY: C. Aggressively pursue violent crimes and 14 1 11 3 11 1 major drug offences D. Apply for federal "community safety" funds 13 0 9 3 9 3 PROVINCIAL REGULATION OF ALCOHOL: E1. Aggressively enforce liquor outlet violations 9 4 9 3 8 2 E2. Regulate high alcohol beverages (rice wine) 13 0 12 1 11 1 AGGRESSIVE BY-LAW ENFORCEMENT: F1. Reduce neg. impacts of problem businesses 11 1 8 3 7 2 F2. Ensure owners to maintain livability of SROs 12 1 11 2 11 1 COMMUNITY SUPPORT: G. Request BC funds for people w mental illness 13 1 11 3 9 4 STREET LIFE: H. Attract legitimate businesses to Hastings St. 11 1 8 3 7 3 I1. Fund Outdoor Street Programming 10 2 8 3 6 3 POLITICAL IMPLEMENTATION: I2. Help communities work together 13 1 8 4 7 2 J. Meet with gov't ministers every 6 months 13 1 11 2 11 1 K1. Convene "City Caucus" as soon as possible 11 0 11 0 11 0 K2. Create tri-government "DTES Sponsor Cttee" 8 1 7 2 9 0 K3. Create tri-government "DTES Staff Cttee" 8 1 7 2 7 2 K4. Develop community links to Committees 7 0 7 0 7 0 PUBLIC RESPONSE TO STRATEGIC ACTIONS
Questionnaire Results
3) Public Meeting in Chinatown (Aug. 18/98) AGREE? PRIORITY? ACTION? Number of responses: 16 YES NO HIGH LOW NOW LATER OBJECTIVES: A1. Reduce the incidence of drug addition 16 0 16 0 15 0 A2. Reduce drug-related crime 16 0 15 1 14 1 A3. Improve conditions at the street level 16 0 12 4 13 3 A4. Improve SROs & build low-income housing 13 2 4 9 4 9 A5. Help community seek a common future 14 0 7 7 7 7 DRUG TREATMENT: B. Implement effective drug treatment services 15 0 14 0 12 1 SAFE COMMUNITY: C. Aggressively pursue violent crimes and 16 0 15 1 13 1 major drug offences D. Apply for federal "community safety" funds 15 0 12 3 14 1 PROVINCIAL REGULATION OF ALCOHOL: E1. Aggressively enforce liquor outlet violations 16 0 14 1 16 0 E2. Regulate high alcohol beverages (rice wine) 15 1 10 5 14 2 AGGRESSIVE BY-LAW ENFORCEMENT: F1. Reduce neg. impacts of problem businesses 16 0 13 0 13 0 F2. Ensure owners to maintain livability of SROs 14 1 8 5 8 4 COMMUNITY SUPPORT: G. Request BC funds for people w mental illness 13 1 8 3 12 1 STREET LIFE: H. Attract legitimate businesses to Hastings St. 16 0 13 2 14 1 I1. Fund Outdoor Street Programming 9 6 5 8 5 8 POLITICAL IMPLEMENTATION: I2. Help communities work together 9 6 7 6 7 6 J. Meet with gov't ministers every 6 months 16 0 14 2 16 0 K1. Convene "City Caucus" as soon as possible 14 0 10 4 10 3 K2. Create tri-government "DTES Sponsor Cttee" 11 2 9 4 9 4 K3. Create tri-government "DTES Staff Cttee" 11 2 10 3 9 4 K4. Develop community links to Committees 13 1 12 1 11 2 PUBLIC RESPONSE TO STRATEGIC ACTIONS
Questionnaire Results
4) Public Meeting in Gastown (Aug. 19/98) AGREE? PRIORITY? ACTION? Number of responses: 28 YES NO HIGH LOW NOW LATER OBJECTIVES: A1. Reduce the incidence of drug addition 27 1 22 5 22 3 A2. Reduce drug-related crime 27 1 25 2 21 5 A3. Improve conditions at the street level 26 1 25 3 23 1 A4. Improve SROs & build low-income housing 27 0 26 2 23 1 A5. Help community seek a common future 28 0 21 6 18 7 DRUG TREATMENT: B. Implement effective drug treatment services 27 1 27 0 24 1 SAFE COMMUNITY: C. Aggressively pursue violent crimes and 21 4 18 6 17 7 major drug offences D. Apply for federal "community safety" funds 25 1 25 1 21 2 PROVINCIAL REGULATION OF ALCOHOL: E1. Aggressively enforce liquor outlet violations 19 7 16 10 15 7 E2. Regulate high alcohol beverages (rice wine) 23 4 21 4 17 6 AGGRESSIVE BY-LAW ENFORCEMENT: F1. Reduce neg. impacts of problem businesses 21 4 19 5 17 5 F2. Ensure owners to maintain livability of SROs 26 0 21 3 20 3 COMMUNITY SUPPORT: G. Request BC funds for people w mental illness 27 0 23 3 23 1 STREET LIFE: H. Attract legitimate businesses to Hastings St. 22 4 17 9 13 9 I1. Fund Outdoor Street Programming 21 1 15 5 13 6 POLITICAL IMPLEMENTATION: I2. Help communities work together 22 2 15 9 14 7 J. Meet with gov't ministers every 6 months 25 0 24 1 24 0 K1. Convene "City Caucus" as soon as possible 19 3 17 3 15 2 K2. Create tri-government "DTES Sponsor Cttee" 20 2 15 4 14 3 K3. Create tri-government "DTES Staff Cttee" 21 2 18 1 17 0 K4. Develop community links to Committees 20 1 17 2 15 2 PUBLIC RESPONSE TO STRATEGIC ACTIONS
Comments from Questionnaire1. Community Leaders Meeting
Wed., August 12, 1998 at Vancouver Community College
Recommendation A: Objectives
… Regarding (i), prevention to aftercare is needed. Involve United Way?
… Regarding (iii), support for “Carrall Street Connector”.
… Regarding (v), I can't imagine that anyone would be opposed to it.
… Add "market housing and business" as a priority items as these are the fundamental providers of financial resources.Recommendation B: Drug Treatment
… Expand to Federal Government as well.
… Feds and Provincial governments.
… What is adequate drug detox? Where are appropriate locations?Recommendation C: Crime
… But not on drug crime - must deal with property crime aggressively! Add recommendation on "proceeds of crime coming back to community".
… They bust addicts and it causes death.
… Add Minister of Justice.
… Add Minister of Justice. Include proceeds of crime money as an issue.
… Include street level crime.
… Add Minister of Justice. Include property crimes on street.
… Higher sentences to dealers - try detox for users, if willing.
… Add street level crime.Recommendation D: Federal Funding
… This should be a community initiative rather than a City program.
… Community driven.
… Should be a community application.Recommendation E: Alcohol
… Regarding (i), need to add as an issue: reducing the number of liquor seats.
… Regarding (i), reduce 1,000 seats.
… Regarding (i), lower number of licensed seats.
… Regarding (ii), what would be the result - Lysol?
… Regarding (ii), only salted rice wine.
… Regarding (ii), needs discussion.Recommendation F: By-law Enforcement
… Regarding both, add Strathcona NIST.
… Regarding both, add Strathcona NIST.
… Regarding (i), define priorities and actual issues. This is a high priority - must be done now.
… Regarding (i), define the businesses.
… Regarding (ii), define priorities. It should staged program over an extended period.
… Regarding (ii), if enforcement causes homelessness, it must be considered.
… Regarding (ii), winter accommodation for the poor.
… Regarding (ii), include management as an issue.Recommendation G: Mentally Ill
… That all communities take responsibility for members of their original communities. Individuals should not be directed to the DTES. Assessment of impact on mental patients and results on health need to be understood.Recommendation H: Attract Business
… This should not be limited to Hastings Street. Business must involve all communities. Particularly in Pigeon Park. Carrall St. represents the best and most legitimate opportunity to bring business back. There is a resource available - the tourist and a genuine place at Pigeon Park to begin. Starting here will be supported by Chinatown & Gastown. Starting anywhere else will fail as there is no customer base with real money and no one is going to come.
… Clarify "legitimate business". Landlords won't rent, try phoning them.Recommendation I: Outdoor Street Programming
… We'd need to know more of the program before we are fully supportive.
… Regarding (i), this funding level is woefully inadequate - a significant statement on the broad funding initiatives should be made to clearly establish the scale and nature of the issues.
… Regarding (i), needs more funding.
… Regarding (i), this is inadequate amount. Make sure Carnegie staff change policies first.
… Regarding (ii), where is the facilitator that would assist in building the community initiative? A hosting initiative!
… Regarding (ii), don't hire staff - get money for community events hosted by various participants.Recommendation J: Meet with Provincial Ministers Meet with Government Ministers
… Poverty is an issue.
… Add Minister of Human Resources. With community participation.
… It is necessary to include the Minister of Human Resources with this group. The focus on poverty is a root cause of difficulties, much of which is due to MHR policies, needs to be much sharper in the body of this report.
… Include community.Recommendation K: Tri-government Coordination Tri-government Coordination
… Regarding (ii), strong community base is required. Must be bottom up.
… Regarding (ii), Do we really need yet another committee at this time?
… Regarding (iii), This will create the illusion that we can rely on government to solve our community problems. When we give up on government's "helping" or caring we will work together to make our neighbourhood livable again. It also wastes energy that we could use talking to one another.
… Community participation is missing.2.Public Information Meeting
Tues., August 18, 1998 (afternoon) at Carnegie Community Centre
Recommendation A: Objectives
… Regarding (iii), very vague - how?Recommendation B: Drug Treatment
… I found very sad that nothing is done to stop the drug problem on Abbott St. I work in the Heritage House Hotel and I don't see police too often. I have to fight with the drug dealers and users. All that makes our business going down and my income as well. Something has to be done right away.
… Please realize that drug sales are very highly opportunistic in that sellers are increasing in numbers, and this encourages out-of-area residents to come in and buy - low risk - in drive-by purchases. I watch this every evening at Pender/Abbott. Arrest massive numbers, including buyers/sellers and do it for several weeks, and not just sporadically for several days, and a zero-tolerance. Message will go out; drivers and others will stop coming, out of fear, and what remains is the social problem of drug addiction -- not also a crime problem, as well!
… Provide work like cleaning and painting building for people who believe that they have no purpose in their own community. People who have started a detox need a good purpose with caring for others. Getting people at street level or street people who know the addicts or dealers. These street and people need love not purpose. People are hurting from their past not from the present. Learn what the drugs create then work from there. Seeing eye to eye and listen and all will soon pass.Recommendation C: Crime
… Containment attitude of police to allow drug sales in front of Carnegie Centre - this should be stopped.
… Particularly for those guilty of violent crimes against women.Recommendation D: Federal Funding
No comment.Recommendation E: Alcohol
… Regarding (i), City and Province should not allow anymore liquor licences - either in DTES or northern end of Gastown - specifically the "Elite" and the "Alibi".
… Regarding (ii), anything to do with rice wine should be banned. Get the RCMP involved more about this problem. It's cheap and could be bought easily enough.Recommendation F: By-law Enforcement
… Regarding (i), I also think we need to restructure licensing of 24-hour stores and pawn shops. Most of these places are fronts for illegal activity (drugs, receiving stolen property, etc.). Right now it is so easy to get a license and this really bothers me.
… Regarding (ii), we want conversion control by-law.
… Regarding (ii), about half of the SRO units charge $25 to $50 more than is allocated for shelter in income recipients' cheques forcing them to take from their support, leaving them with about $125 to live on for the month. What will the City do to help these people?Recommendation G: Mentally Ill
No comment.Recommendation H: Attract Business
… Get rid of drug dealers first!Recommendation I: Outdoor Street Programming
… Regarding (i), new money - not money taken away from existing budgets.
… Regarding (i), yes, but need more money.
… Regarding (ii), how will this be spent?Recommendation J: Meet with Provincial Ministers
… Show all politicians what it is on the street.Recommendation K: Tri-government Coordination
No comment.General comments and other comments:
… I have been living in this community and area for the past 23 years. I see the deterioration of this community in the areas of law and order, housing, health and security. I would like to see the community and the three levels of governments working co-operatively to make this community a better place to live in. Let us work together to bring the business, the tourists, the hard-working people back. This is a caring community. Let us keep it this way.
… As like many homeowners in the Gastown area, and doing voluntary work for Tourism Vancouver, repeat people that are returning to Vancouver are asking "Is it safe to stroll down in what is described a Tourist Attraction?"
… Build more low cost housing in other areas of Vancouver. People like a choice. Build more residential housing in the East Side. We want more desirable residents. Because of my low income, I am forced to live here.
… Promote and encourage more affordable housing in Chinatown. ?? the City’s HA-1 and HA-1A in the anti-development by-laws and anti-development affordable housing projects in Chinatown.
… Wash the street at night or use street sweepers. Clean up the garbage.
… Need green space, community resources such as a swimming pool at Portside Park for residents in the area.
… Noise by-laws- enforce please.3. Public Information Meeting
Tues., August 18, 1998 (evening) at Chinese Cultural Centre
Recommendation A: Objectives
… Regarding (i), easier said than done.
… Regarding (ii), this will happen if you do (i) & (iv).
… Regarding (iii), how vague!
… Regarding (iv), too many SROs here now.
… Regarding (v), sounds vague and airy fairy.Recommendation B: Drug Treatment
… Drug addiction is a medical problem, so why can government treat the addicts in a hospital, or treatment should be in one area that doesn't affect the other community. Give them a place to live, job training, make them feel useful instead of just these people a welfare cheque. Have them learn that drug-users end up at a dead-end (in life). We need more awareness about drugs -posting every addict when they die from overdose. Put every drug dealer behind bars for a heavy sentence, and parade them in the streets. To get rid of the drug problem, also get rid of the social problems like prostitution, alcoholism.
… Good luck!
… Too much troubles: pimps, hookers, drug addicts, drunks in the Downtown Eastside. Please do not put detox and treatment centres in the Downtown Eastside near Chinatown.
… There should be a detox centre for each province which should be located far away from residents. It should be mandatory treatment for all drug addicts until they are cleaned.
… I would like to suggest ways to deal with drug addicts. I heard that the Government is planning to provide safe fixing centre for drug addicts. We opposed to this idea strongly. By doing so, it is to encourage the drug addicts to take drugs, even when they have no money, there are free drugs. Therefore, drug addicts will take more drugs. This is not a long-term solution. We suggest that the jurisdiction be tightened. When a drug dealer was caught, even for procession of a small amount of drug, he/she should be pursue aggressively. If they cannot pay the penalty, they should be jailed. If the drug dealers were dealing with large amount of drugs, all the money generated from dealing should be forfeited and the dealer should be sentenced for life. The money from the forfeit could be used to build a detox centre far away from the Downtown Eastside. Drug addicts should be contained in the detox centre until they are completely cleaned. Any welfare money the drug addicts received should all put into the Detox Centre. The detox centre can also set up some programs such as manufacturing or farming to help fund the centre. If the drug addicts work harder, they will earn more, if they don't work hard, they will be provided just enough food.Recommendation C: Crime
… Definitely!!
… Drug addiction is a medical problem. It is better to help the addicts to get into recovery and there will be less market for traffickers. I would prefer to see hard drugs decriminalized and monitored than spending money keeping people in jails where they continue to do drugs.Recommendation D: Federal Funding
No comment.Recommendation E: Alcohol
… Regarding (i), will this really solve the problem?
… Regarding (ii), this is ongoing anyways.
… Regarding (ii), then they will have to regulate the sale of nailpolish and glue...Recommendation F: By-law Enforcement
… Regarding (i), City should have new property by-law for abandoned buildings for demolition or resale operation. Don't let any abandoned building stand in the city.Recommendation G: Mentally Ill
… The mentally handicapped should have a place to live and not be on the street.Recommendation H: Attract Business
… Let' s get social housing, detox etc. going, then some good businesses may want to come, otherwise they will come and hate actually being down here because of the sickening sad sight of seeing poor junkies lying on the sidewalk, shooting up, sleeping in the lanes etc.Recommendation I: Outdoor Street Programming
… Regarding (i), stupid waste of money - get on with detox and social housing.Recommendation J: Meet with Provincial Ministers
No comment.Recommendation K: Tri-government Coordination
No comment.General comments and other comments:
… The Downtown Eastside has been abandoned for these people for too long. Nobody wants to know how to get a better solution. Everyone comes to Vancouver and the unfortunate ones end up on the east-side area. Why? The whole area is infested with the social problem!! Have governments really looked into the problem!… My daughter is helping me fill this form in, but I hope City hall in their solicitation of this form has utilized/been realistic in obtaining as much community support as possible, in whatever languages are applicable. There are many people who have something to say but have no one to help them pass on the information, or they feel their opinion does not count. This is typical political behaviour when dealing with this socio-economic class.
… I go to my business in Chinatown daily, day and evening, I have been doing this daily since 1949 when I first came to Canada and I am truly appalled and angry at the current conditions in the area. This is the worst it has ever been, and potential customers and businesses do not wish to do business here. I am finding it extremely difficult to lease my space out to "legitimate" businesses also. Daily, three times per day, I must clean the front entrance of the building with lots of hot water to clean out the urine left by bystanders. The disregard for businesses, and lack of respect for property is rampant. On the other hand, so many honest, elderly senior citizens aretrying to maintain their home in the DTES. The average person who lives here (who is not on drugs, alcohol etc.) but is simply living here for economic reasons must surely feel overwhelmed and intimidated by the crime, drugs, and the prostitution situation. There are no easy solutions. Probably because I have no other information to go on, this survey seems remarkably simplistic and written from a bureaucratic perspective, especially sections K, A, I (ii).
… I volunteer at WISH (Women's Information & Safe House) at First United Church on Hastings & Gore. I am really appalled at the lack of spaces in detox and recovery centres & the shortage of beds for prostitutes who are severely addicted and do not have any place to sleep it off and straighten out. I live on Powell street and I see junkies shooting up in the alley and calling to their dealers in the old hotels. I don't feel they should all be locked up and thrown in jail or made to live elsewhere. I think we should do whatever we can do to help these people. It is absolutely fabulous what they are doing in Portland and I would love to see us get on with doing something like that in Vancouver. Through my work at WISH and as a member of first United Church I do see there is a community here that needs saving. Since we bought our condo in 1993, I see applications for market housing everywhere here. After reading your report I would encourage you to hold off on the new market housing developments until you can get more social housing built. I am sick of the new owners moving here and demanding something be done about the crime and wishing they hadn't moved here. We owe it to the new purchasers to try and clean up the mess before more people buy down here and try to turn it into Kerrisdale. The reports are well thought out and well written and I am encouraged to see you heading in the right direction.
… Need a traffic light at the corner of Keefer and Dunlevy for pedestrians.
4. Public Information Meeting
Wed., August 19, 1998 at Gastown Actors Studio
Recommendation A: Objectives
No comment.Recommendation B: Drug Treatment
… Drug treatment is voluntary to Ministry of Health and Ministry of Children and Families. We need a vehicle that will not put people into treatment, either through crime or putting children at risk or self at risk, and I think Attorney General should provide funds as well.
… Open up more detoxes outside of the DTES. City: work with VRHB to implement a safe fixing site.
… I vehemently oppose the allocation of public funds to provide "safe" fixing sites. As heroin is a deadly substance, such an idea is a complete oxymoron. It is madness, in fact. Also, it is madness to consider legal prescriptions paid for by the public to service deadly addictions.
… The Government's lack of resolve & action in providing these services is shameful & embarrassing.Recommendation C: Crime
… The war against drugs can only be won if the police/RCMP are more effective in nailing the drug dealers/cartels. Stopping the flow of drugs is more important than dealing with the after effect of drug abuse. More manpower is needed to be directed at the originating source, rather than cops pounding the sidewalks.
… Like most people in BC, I want to see marijuana legalized. Every time I turn on the news and hear about the police, time, and manpower being used to bust marijuana grow operations, etc, I just see my tax dollars being wasted on criminalization of a substance that is not a threat to public safety. Meanwhile my neighbourhood is lousy with people dealing openly in deadly drugs - and the police routinely turn a blind eye. I would like to see all levels of trafficking in cocaine & heroin (including street level) classified as violent crime. Every dealer of cocaine and heroin is aware of the damage it inflicts in the same way that a sniper knows his bullets have the potential to kill or main (of course the dealer’s body count is usually much higher). The gross indifference to public safety that traffickers in deadly drugs demonstrate is akin to an act of terrorism - and this should be reflected in their sentencing, including deportation of non-citizens convicted, regardless of their status (e.g. refugee).Recommendation D: Federal Funding
No comment.Recommendation E: Alcohol
… Do not close bars and restrict the sale of rice wine if you think "medicalizing" heroin and providing "safe " fixing sites will decrease addiction. There is a real lack of congruence here.
… Regarding (ii), I think this is a more complicated issue than it may seem. Rice wine is drunk primarily because of cost. Should we ban its sale, we may be back to the good old days of Lysoland rubbing alcohol. And as bad as salted cooking wine is, these are obviously worse. AND -People are now drinking this unhealthy substance because the much benigner ginseng brandy was banned. Thus, and ironically, if you brought back ginseng, you would undoubtably save many lives. A very tricky issue.Recommendation F: By-law Enforcement
… Regarding (ii), too strict an enforcement policy could well close down badly needed housing stock, no?
… Regarding (ii), these are peoples' homes -- give people a safe and clean place to live and dignity.
… I find the City's record of dealing with businesses associated with the drug trade (dangerous drugs) disappointing. Any business with more than one incident of drug-related activity on their premises should have their license revoked and the persons involved should be prevented from obtaining another business license to conduct business in this neighbourhood. Of course, criminal charges should be pursued if business person has directly involved themselves in the trafficking of deadly drugs, and any fines or property seizure should benefit our community programs.Recommendation G: Mentally Ill
… Move the Mental Patients Association out of the Downtown Eastside.Recommendation H: Attract Business
No comment.Recommendation I: Outdoor Street Programming
… waste of money - put it directly into a home for someone that is more worth it.Recommendation J: Meet with Provincial Ministers
No comment.Recommendation K: Tri-government Coordination
… Committees? more talk & meetings? We need effective responses NOW.General comments and other comments:
… Proceed with the safety issue on Carrall Street as a link between Gastown and Chinatown.… I came to this meeting first because for approximately 17 years I was a drug user - everything: drugs from major to heroin. Second - I have been totally clean for over 25 years. Third - I have lived down here for the last 7 years with the hopes of finding my place regarding helping. Please contact me.
… The City, Province, and Federal government show a callous disregard for the obvious suffering of all groups in the DTES. People shooting up in broad daylight in front of Carnegie andeverywhere else in this area indicates a "social-contract" totally gone awry. Issues of HIV, drug-addiction, mental illness, prostitution and extreme poverty and miserable SRO living conditions have grown to explosive dimensions and must be addressed immediately, if we are to avoid confrontations between business people, new "gentrifying" residents and the very disadvantaged groups alluded to above. With the advent of condo conversions in Gastown, and a growing International Village, along with the Van Horne and Carrall St., the local residents are increasingly on the defensive as they feel their homes and neighbourhood being eroded. The decriminalization of heroin and cocaine and REAL help for addicts could be a first step to getting this neighbourhood to stop its downward spiral.
… Open up 24 hour washrooms. More housing for the homeless.
… Re: Street conditions at Abbott & Hastings. Criminal activity appears to be tolerated: there was a recent police crackdown and blitz on the criminal activities in the Abbott/Hastings corner, but since that brief period of noticeable action, the sidewalks have been packed with aggressive drug dealers. Obviously this involves organized crime & gangs. Obviously, a solution of under-cover work & prosecutions takes time. Could you at least get those people to let pedestrians pass without having to weave around them? Every time I leave my residence (at Heritage House Hotel, 455 Abbott) wherever I turn or walk, within even half a block, drug pushers aggressively solicit (and harass by deliberately blocking the sidewalk). OK, so it is a complex problem involving multiple levels of government response, but meanwhile could something be done about the massive presence of persons involved in criminal activity pursuing these activities in such numbers. If we can’t eliminate it, can we at least accomplish a reduction of such activity through regular periodic enforcement action - periodic so that effecting results can be maintained within budget restrictions overtime.
… I asked Tim Stephenson, our MLA, how we can get through to the Provincial Government re: the lack of care for addicted people & housing for the poor. He acted as if I was crazy. The insulation of these people is the problem. My anger is ineffectual. There is no anger from our elected civic officials. Their insulation is flawless. The police seem to condone most of what is going on. I've personally pointed out violent situations to police who seem to be totally cynical and unwilling to do anything. The myth of the Eastside is encouraged by the media and obviously encouraged by the Police Chief - at least there seemed to be no repercussions when that spate of demonizing articles by police officers was published in the Province last year. I think there is a tacit agreement that the Eastside shall continue to be the dumping ground of the City. It's what is not said by the Mayor & Councillors in public that seems to make the situation so hopeless. Until you are touched by the crime and misery, you can't react. Public officials are untouchable. Fear and violence don't work. What a cycle.
… Speedy movement on these programs would save lives, and improve living qualities.… I have lived here for 10 years and have some good ideas. I hope future meetings will have more time for constructive response.
… I find the Federal & Provincial governments’ apathy in face of the ghettoisation of the DTES & their gross delay in enacting recommendations & agreements already made to beembarrassing, shameful & negligent. Every Canadian citizen has the right to expect responsible government. It is very disappointing & disheartening to find all my tax dollars going towards committees, reports, recommendations, discussions, reviews and coordinators, when implementation & action are what this desperate situation calls for.
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