Public Disorder & the Decline of Vancouver's Livability

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Vin

Only 3 years for attempted murder? For God's sake....

I bet he will be out in a year or two tops.

This guys should be doing 30 years of hard labour.

Particularly egregious considering his prior rap sheet, including this:

..He was convicted on several of those charges related to a 2017 incident in which Morin held a woman in a Prince George hotel room, threatened her with a hatchet and sexually assaulted her...

https://globalnews.ca/news/8923395/vanco...tm_source=%40globalbc&utm_medium=Twitter

[s211]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Stabbing isn't attempted murder. It's just random poking with a sharp object.

I trust you're being sarcastic? Either that or a Pivot Legal shill!

[FarmerHaight]

Originally Posted by s211

I trust you're being sarcastic? Either that or a Pivot Legal shill!

Stabbing certainly meets the threshold for assault, but as other people have pointed out there are other things that must be determined for it to be attempted murder. Even if the victim died from the stabbing it would likely be manslaughter and not murder.

This may all seem like semantics, but if you don't like it you'll need to try to change the criminal code.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Particularly egregious considering his prior rap sheet, including this:

..He was convicted on several of those charges related to a 2017 incident in which Morin held a woman in a Prince George hotel room, threatened her with a hatchet and sexually assaulted her...

https://globalnews.ca/news/8923395/vanco...tm_source=%40globalbc&utm_medium=Twitter

Appalling. If he served more time from that last assault, this Mexican tourist would not have had his lung punctured.

[Klazu]

Originally Posted by whatnext

As predicted. That didn't take long.

Now, now. Most people here were predicting for this to happen within a week and it actually took several weeks to happen, so all predictions have now been proven baseless fear-mongering by the resident crime apologists.

[Phil McAvity]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Did Harper improve mental health programs?

Firstly, answering a question with a question is just a means of avoidance so the answer to the previous question is, neither the provincial nor federal governments are right wing and society's problems have grown significantly under their governance

As far as your question goes, the Conservatives haven't been in power since 2016 and back then the mental health crisis/opioid epidemic was nothing like it is today so it's not really a fair question. The terms "mental health crisis" and "opioid epidemic" weren't common terms back then if they even existed but they sure exist today. Regardless, problems like this are the responsibility of the provinces much more than they are the feds and the provincial NDP has done little to improve the situation here in BC so for that reason I would vote for the provincial Liberals and the federal Conservatives because whatever their solution is, it can't be much worse than the existing NDP/Liberal governments

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Changing City

Cool story bro.

Crime as usual in a big city, or obsessively scanning to imply this is somehow different, or proof of decline of Vancouver's livability?

(I admit the bystander using bear spray is unusual - were they charged with assault?)

Oh, absolutely nothing to worry about. What's the big deal about random slashings? Just "usual crimes in a big city".

Two people "slashed with machete" in series of unprovoked weekend attacks in Vancouver
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-violent-unprovoked-attacks-machete

This past weekend was a violent one for Vancouver, including a machete attack, multiple stabbings, and other unprovoked attacks.

It also included another bear spray attack and someone having a fake pistol pulled on them.

The Vancouver Police Department is investigating this series of violent incidents over the weekend, including an unprovoked machete attack that took place near Main and Hastings by the Empress Hotel as two people were loading luggage into a waiting taxi.

A VPD officer was flagged to the incident when they discovered that two people had been “slashed with a machete.”

The attack left both victims with neck and head wounds that required them to be hospitalized, but they’re expected to recover. Both victims told the police they did not know the attacker, who police describe as a heavy-set man in his forties who was wearing a grey t-shirt, blue raincoat, and carrying an umbrella.

“He was last seen running south from the crime scene.”

The suspect has not been identified.

Four other violent incidents over the weekend
The machete attack was just one of five different violent attacks that Vancouver police are sharing information about.

On Saturday, a 27-year-old man reported that he was stabbed and bear sprayed by six to eight teens around 3:30 am while walking near Drake and Seymour streets.

He found his own way to the hospital and told police he was walking out of a lane when attacked for no reason. His injuries are non-life-threatening and the suspects have not been identified.

In a different incident, a woman who was riding a bus on Saturday around 6:15 am noticed another woman glaring at her. She got up and moved to a different spot but ended up being followed by the glaring woman.

When she got off the bus, she was pursued and slapped in the face for no reason by West Pender and Hornby Streets.

In yet another incident around the same time on the same day, a man was walking around English Bay when a suspect pulled out a fake pistol and pointed it at him. Someone else called 911 thinking that the gun was real. VPD was able to respond and arrest the suspect, who was found to be in possession of an airsoft gun with two loaded magazines.

The final incident took place on Sunday after The Killers concert. A 23-year-old man from Surrey was leaving Rogers Arena around 11:30 pm when he was confronted by a group of strangers and stabbed in the abdomen. The victim was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive, but the suspects fled and have not been located.

“With the end of COVID restrictions and the start of summer, Vancouver police expect to see a surge of people coming to the city to enjoy our beaches, parks, shopping, and entertainment,” said VPD Sergeant Steve Addison in a statement.

“More people always bring more calls for police service and the potential for increased conflicts. We’ll continue to make public safety our top priority and we encourage people to call 911 if they see a crime in progress or need help immediately.”

[whatnext]

Phil Chang
@okayestdentist
48m
Bonus.

Smoke crack with no shame on a major street in the daytime.

General mentally unstable behaviour. A OK.

Then picking up groceries, notice dollar tree window smashed for probably 8th time this year. And someone took a dump on the glass.

No hashtags needed.

https://twitter.com/okayestdentist/status/1539022357339049984

#vancouver

[giallo]

I haven't seen anything too hardcore lately, but I saw a first on 5th near Cambie yesterday afternoon.

My wife and I were walking along 5th between Alberta St and Yukon St. We were heading to Save-On Foods on Cambie when I saw a group huddled around each other with all of their stuff in a circle around them. They looked pretty cracked-out, so I crossed to the other side of the street, and took a passing glance their way. And right there, on the street curb facing the street, in full view of whoever was walking, driving or cycling by was a woman shooting up. Now I've seen plenty of people shoot up in Vancouver, but it's usually in an alley, or behind a bit of cover; a door's alcove, behind a planter etc (not counting the DTES, of course), but she was there shooting up right on the curb, facing the street.

I know we're past this drug epidemic being confined to the DTES, but seeing this happen at 2pm on a street full of coffee shops, galleries and boutiques, a block away from the VPD's headquarters was pretty nuts. Again, it wasn't that drugs were being consumed, it's how open and raw it was in an area where you wouldn't expect to see it.

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by giallo

I haven't seen anything too hardcore lately, but I saw a first on 5th near Cambie yesterday afternoon.

My wife and I were walking along 5th between Alberta St and Yukon St. We were heading to Save-On Foods on Cambie when I saw a group huddled around each other with all of their stuff in a circle around them. They looked pretty cracked-out, so I crossed to the other side of the street, and took a passing glance their way. And right there, on the street curb facing the street, in full view of whoever was walking, driving or cycling by was a woman shooting up. Now I've seen plenty of people shoot up in Vancouver, but it's usually in an alley, or behind a bit of cover; a door's alcove, behind a planter etc (not counting the DTES, of course), but she was there shooting up right on the curb, facing the street.

I know we're past this drug epidemic being confined to the DTES, but seeing this happen at 2pm on a street full of coffee shops, galleries and boutiques, a block away from the VPD's headquarters was pretty nuts. Again, it wasn't that drugs were being consumed, it's how open and raw it was in an area where you wouldn't expect to see it.

I appreciate and trust your perspective. You have "fresh eyes" on this city.

I galavant all over Vancouver and the area you are talking about is one I go through on a semi-regular basis.

Honestly, if had seen what you're describing I would have just shrugged and carried on.

Perhaps I'm like the frog being slowly boiled.

[giallo]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

I appreciate and trust your perspective. You have "fresh eyes" on this city.

I galavant all over Vancouver and the area you are talking about is one I go through on a semi-regular basis.

Honestly, if had seen what you're describing I would have just shrugged and carried on.

Perhaps I'm like the frog being slowly boiled.

You're right. It's totally the 'fresh eyes' thing. I spent so long in East Asia that I'm still having to adjust to this sort of thing. It's probably the biggest part of my reverse culture shock since coming back. That, and how unbelievably friendly Canadians are.

[Klazu]

Originally Posted by giallo

It wasn't that drugs were being consumed, it's how open and raw it was in an area where you wouldn't expect to see it.

Yeah, this is how cities become shitholes and Vancouver is definitely climbing that list very quickly. We are also being told through YouTube and radio ad campaigns how using drugs carries a stigma, which is the biggest problem out there, perhaps only matched by police harassing drug users that are only practicing their god-given right to shoot up wherever they choose, be it a children's playground etc.

I really hope we do get the 2030 Olympics, so the world can finally see how deep Vancouver has sunken from its former glory.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Klazu

I really hope we do get the 2030 Olympics, so the world can finally see how deep Vancouver has sunken from its former glory.

LMAO why do you bother staying in Vancouver? You only live once, go somewhere better?

[chowhou]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

LMAO why do you bother staying in Vancouver? You only live once, go somewhere better?

No one hates Vancouver more than Vancouver suburbanites.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

LMAO why do you bother staying in Vancouver? You only live once, go somewhere better?

Why do you bother staying in a city where you cannot stand so many people wanting a change for the better? You only live once, go somewhere with only mute happy folks?

[FarmerHaight]

Originally Posted by Vin

Why do you bother staying in a city where you cannot stand so many people wanting a change for the better? You only live once, go somewhere with only mute happy folks?

Actually, Klazu rarely hopes for positive change. Instead, he wishes misery and pain on people and worldwide humiliation for our city.

Some samplings of his recent posts:

I really hope we do get the 2030 Olympics, so the world can finally see how deep Vancouver has sunken from its former glory.

I am happy that wasted space was reclaimed for the people. I am equally happy to know how much this single photo must rub some people.

I hope you reminded the imbecile on the phone that you pay their salary.

I have been waiting for the first gas station or car dealership arson.

Make these idiots pay big time and then throw them in jail.

I am also sure Spandex Nazis are unhappy, as the Stanley Park Drive used to be the only fast route around, but is now filled with noob cyclists. I bet a lot of aggressive encounters ensue these days.

Those don't sound like constructive comments to me.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by chowhou

No one hates Vancouver more than Vancouver suburbanites.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Vin

Why do you bother staying in a city where you cannot stand so many people wanting a change for the better? You only live once, go somewhere with only mute happy folks?

Lol what? Whiners are everywhere, I'm having a great time in Vancouver. I realize it's not for everyone though.

It's not as hard to pack up and leave as many people think. Change is hard, but you will thank yourself later... just be careful about the grass being greener on the other side.

And if you really wanted change, you'd do more that complain on a meaningless message board.

[Klazu]

Originally Posted by FarmerHaight

Actually, Klazu rarely hopes for positive change. Instead, he wishes misery and pain on people and worldwide humiliation for our city. Those don't sound like constructive comments to me.

Ah, nothing like taking random snippets out of context and framing them around your own agenda in order to desperately try make a point. I call it the Warren Approach.

You know each comment has context around it, of course you do, but nevermind that, as leaving it out is the only way to try spin what was actually said and meant. However, I do love when people waste their time on pointless internet banter. It is funny and that's why we're all here. None of us really care enough to run for the Clown Council anyways.

The topic of this thread being the decline of Vancouver with daily examples of extreme random violence, it must be becoming hard to keep burying one's head in the sand and say everything is okay.

[zahav]

Everything is definitely not OK, but I also don't think we're past the point of no return yet. But there does need to be some momentum to clean things up.

I think the issue is when the posts are so negative only, it doesn't come off as wanting to see change and improve the city, it's almost relishing in the decline and hoping for the city to fail. And that's not something people want to hear, negativity on its own just brings people down. Not targetting anyone in particular, I'm thinking even of people off the message board. I also think people have rose coloured glasses for "glory days". Can be a bit subjective there. Things have been rough at various points in Vancouver's history, it's just now the urban density areas have grown so much, both physically and population, there's a lot more interaction and just population in general in downtown and surrounding areas. NOT an excuse for the crap that is happening, absolutely not, things need to improve. But making it seem like it's strictly a government policy fail recently isn't really true, and glosses over other variables. And comparing the old days to now isn't really that accurate, again due to so many other changing variables. I think most people want things to improve, but sometimes certain posts come across as relishing in the issues without any sense of improvement. Reacting to that doesn't mean you are OK with the status quo or making excuses.