Legal and community-based organizations submit a formal Service and Policy complaint regarding the Vancouver Police Department’s Trespass Prevention Program (TPP). Complainants are calling for the termination of the TPP and a public accounting of its operations to-date.

The complaints document a pattern of abusive behaviour by the two VPD officers, including harassment, intimidation, targeting Indigenous and Black people and interference in harm reduction responses in the DTES.

A broad-based Canada-wide coalition of human rights, drug policy, community, and drug user organizations are raising serious concerns about a proposed model for drug decriminalization that will be submitted to the federal government for approval. If adopted, the flawed “Vancouver Model,” as proposed by the City of Vancouver, could be a precedent-setting policy change—the first of its kind in Canada—that could pave the way for other cities to follow suit, including communities in Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec among others. It is therefore critical that this initial model gets decriminalization right by centering the health and rights of people who use drugs, as well as the needs of their loved ones and communities.

As unhoused people are evicted from Strathcona Park, they look to local and international human rights laws to evaluate government decampment strategy and, based on these laws, issue a significantly low grade of “D”

Last month, the VSB released an independent review of the program, completed by Argyle Consulting. The review notes the negative impact of police in schools for Black and Indigenous students, notable as Black and Indigenous youth remain disproportionately criminalized.

PRESS ADVISORY: Prior to the VSB Trustee Meeting to discuss the School Liaison Officer Program, Justice for Girls, Pivot Legal Society and Cops Out of Schools will be holding a press conference at the VSB entrance.

The VPD’s Trespass Prevention Program is another deliberate attack on poor and unhoused people. Once again, police expend vital public resources to criminalize people who rely on public space.

A vigil is being called for Tuesday, January 12 at 380 East Hastings to commemorate our fallen friend’s tragic death at the hands of the Vancouver Police Department.

On patrol for less than 2 months, the VPD’s untimely deployment of the Neighbourhood Response Team was a flashpoint for the continued criminalization of poverty in Vancouver.

As the opioid overdose crisis devastates communities across Canada, groups hope that other jurisdictions will follow Vancouver's lead to take meaningful action on full drug decriminalization.