And the VPD wants to expand the program
October 6, 2021
Meenakshi Mannoe, Pivot Legal Society
Vancouver Police Department car parked in the Downtown Eastside | April, 2021 | Photo: Sozan Savehilaghi
This past June, Pivot and seven co-complainants filed a Service & Policy Complaint regarding the Vancouver Police Department’s “Trespass Prevention Program” —a troubling program that allows police officers to displace trespassers without property owners first filing a complaint.
Shortly after filing, we received a letter of acknowledgment from the Police Board, advising our coalition that the Police Board planned to review the complaint at their September 23 meeting. Stephanie Johanssen, Executive Director of the Police Board, advised us that we would then receive an update within 20 business days
READ: Coalition Submits Complaint for the Cancellation of the VPD Trespass Prevention Program
In our complaint, we highlighted 5 areas of concern raised by the Trespass Prevention Program:
- Social Condition and Criminalizing Poverty
- Democratic Deficit
- Conflict of Interest with Police Enforcing the Trespass Act
- Lack of Procedure/Regulation Undermines Rule of Law
- Potential for Mass Privacy Violations and Increased “Street Checks”
Imagine our surprise when, absent any update from the Police Board, we learned of recent VPD statements about their plans to expand the program.
In the VPD report prepared for the Police Board meeting in relation to our complaint, Sgt. Chris Burnham cites that “businesses and residents complained of violent reactions when dealing with people setting up shelters, using illegal drugs, urinating, defecating, or sitting with their belongings in a manner that interfered with the use and enjoyment of private property.” We know the behaviour that the VPD cites is indisputably linked to underlying conditions of social condition, poverty, lack of shelter, inadequate access to harm reduction sites, and limited low-barrier health and hygiene facilities. None of these issues will be resolved by the existing Trespass Prevention Program, let alone by an expansion.
READ: Vancouver trespass-prevention program hurts people who are homeless and poor, advocates say
Concluding his report, Sgt. Chris Burnham states that “the intent of the TPP is not to criminalize marginalized members of the community.” However, the report also acknowledges that the TPP expands the authority of the police to “take proactive steps to address the behaviours of trespassers that were impacting businesses and residents.” These steps include requesting the “trespasser” leave the property, but also enables police to enforce the Trespass Act through issuing a ticket, an appearance notice, or arresting the “trespasser.” While the intention of the Trespass Prevention Program may not explicitly criminalize unhoused neighbours, this program broadens the police’s ability to engage and interact with them.
Programs like the Trespass Prevention Program undermine efforts to decriminalize poverty and invest in root-cause solutions.
Programs like the Trespass Prevention Program undermine efforts to decriminalize poverty and invest in root-cause solutions. This is on the heels of a motion by the City of Vancouver to decriminalize poverty, no less. Though Deputy Chief Howard Chow has acknowledged that “the crises of public drug use, mental illness and homelessness are not the jurisdiction of the VPD” we continue to see a steady “police creep” into each of these areas. Instead of expanding programs that criminalize poverty, we call on the Police Board and Vancouver City Council to commit to defunding the police and redistributing the capital, instead of relying on the VPD to inappropriately deliver services and programming.
Imagine what we could do if we re-directed these funds and resources into peer-led outreach and programming, culturally appropriate trauma and mental health resources, and building housing with tenancy protections? Aren’t these the solutions that improve the health and safety of all members of the public?
READ: We can choose differently: safety beyond police, prisons and criminalization
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Using the law as a catalyst for positive social change, Pivot Legal Society works to improve the lives of marginalized communities.
