|
Liberal MLA wants to lay down the law
By David Carrigg-Staff writer
Anyone caught tossing a used needle, condom or crack pipe on city streets could be arrested and charged under a tough new Safe Streets Act being proposed by Vancouver Burrard MLA Lorne Mayencourt.
"These are a complete danger to any child that happens to pick them up, or any adult, because if you pick up a syringe the wrong way, it can change your life forever," said Mayencourt, who is dismayed at the recent proliferation of drug dealing and begging in his constituency.
Mayencourt said vehicle break-ins, typically by junkies looking for spare change, have become constant in the area-his neighbour had his truck broken into four times in the past few months.
"Right now, the streets are being controlled by two per cent of the population. We are being held hostage by political correctness."
The proposed Safe Streets Act would make aggressive begging and squeegeeing a crime, as well as imposing penalties for unsafe disposal of used syringes, condoms and broken crack pipes.
Mayencourt also wants the provincial Trespass Act amended to permit shopkeepers to ban repeat shoplifters from entering their stores. Currently, only property owners are allowed to refuse entry to business premises.
Insp. Val Harrison, the Vancouver Police Department officer responsible for the downtown core, said police are being called more often to deal with aggressive panhandlers, but can do little under the city's aggressive panhandling bylaw.
"We can issue a ticket, but more often than not they won't pay the fine. Then we have to get a summons issued and then we have to find them. It's a long process and takes up a lot of resources," Harrison said. "People have reached breaking point. It's OK to get asked for money once on a walk downtown, but it's happening over and over again. People are getting tired of feeling uncomfortable on the streets."
Harrison said she recently spoke to the minister of the United Church at the corner of Nelson and Burrard streets, who was upset about people sleeping and defecating in church doorways.
Also, people attending events downtown, such as hockey games at GM Place, are having to deal with several beggars at a time.
"It certainly seems to be getting worse and a point has been reached where people can no longer tolerate it. We need a better way of dealing with obnoxious public behaviour," Harrison said.
Mayencourt's proposed Safe Streets Act is backed by the Safe Streets Coalition, a band of 30 community and business groups lobbying for better legislative tools for police to deal with property crime, aggressive begging and squeegee kids, graffiti and litter.
The coalition includes the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association, B.C. Chamber of Commerce, Royal Canadian Legion, Tourism Vancouver, Vancouver Board of Trade and the West End Citizens' Action Network.
Kathi Thompson, spokeswoman for the coalition, said she hopes the broad-based nature of the coalition will help Mayencourt convince the provincial government to implement his proposed law.
Thompson said the coalition is especially in favour of legislation banning panhandling from SkyTrain stations, ATMs and bus stops.
Mayencourt plans to take his proposal to the provincial cabinet over the next few months. | 
Safe Streets Act