Hastings Street in Vancouver (Image Credit: Leszek Wrona / Dreamstime.com)

By Doug Collins

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Sometimes what seems like a good idea turns out not to be

Jul 14, 2023 | 5:53 AM

WHEN THE CITY OF VANCOUVER decided enough was enough, it became determined to get rid of the homeless encampments along East Hastings.

A hovel of the worst sort for a long time, it was scary to even drive through, let alone walk through. So many desperate, vulnerable people, trying to just stay alive. But in those encampments, there were drug-related deaths, fights over living spaces, theft, lack of food, harassment of passers-by, fires started — many by people just trying to stay warm — heavy use of resources by police and other first responders, and so it goes.

Finally, a decision had to be made, for the safety of the people in the tents, if for no other reason. And thus, after giving the occupants notice, the city cleaned out the area. It looked so much better. What a welcome site, observers said.

Where do we sit today? Well, the area is not safer. In fact, it may be less safe.

Ruthless drug groups have taken control of the drug trade in that area, which will, of course, lead to more gang violence and death. The homeless haven’t gone anywhere. They’ve been pushed back into the nearby areas, spreading the problem further afield, and making it more difficult for outreach workers to track down those needing assistance and help them stay alive.

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Because of the safety concerns developing in the DTES, something had to be done. But in retrospect, did we jump from the frying pan into the fire?

What’s happened in the DTES is a warning for cities like Kamloops and Kelowna, who are just now starting out on the road to dealing with similar issues.

Think everything through, look from all sides, and look for both negatives and positives before jumping in. Sometimes the phrase “be careful what you wish for” rings very true, as it has in Vancouver.

I’m Doug Collins and that’s One Man’s Opinion.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.