Pubdate: Mon, 15 Mar 2004
Source: Vancouver Courier (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 Vancouver Courier
Contact:  http://www.vancourier.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/474
Author: David Carrigg

LIBERAL MLA WANTS TO LAY DOWN THE LAW

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.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom