The police have taken a stand, and will be using a gentle and non-forceful approach with the homeless in spite of provincial legislation to the contrary.
I think that it is a huge development for Vancouver Police Department Chief Jim Chu to in essence state that he will not be enforcing BC Minister of Housing and Social Development Rich Coleman’s new legislation on the homeless.
“If there is overt resistance, then we will back away and disengage. There will be no further physical contact. They will be allowed to remain where they are.”
The ministry is trying to put their best foot forward in response:
“The policy that the VPD has put in place appears to be a reasonable interpretation of the act. We appreciate the VPD respects the spirit of the act and we respect their position,”
but the VPD have passed a debilitating judgement on a piece of legislation that is not only controversial with Charter and homeless advocates, but is also unrealistic and nearly impossible to properly enforce.
