Public Disorder & the Decline of Vancouver's Livability

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

You're comparing actual freight trains to miniature trains. Think before you Google and post.

I was wondering how the hell we got onto discussing steam trains in the Public Disorder thread. Then I read back, and realized Vin can't tell the difference between a train that's disorderly, and one that's 'out of order'.

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by Changing City

I was wondering how the hell we got onto discussing steam trains in the Public Disorder thread.

Well we're barely talking about trains on the 'Heavy Rail, Commuter Rail, & Intercity Transportation' thread...

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by Sheba

Well we're barely talking about trains on the 'Heavy Rail, Commuter Rail, & Intercity Transportation' thread...

That's true - it's been hijacked by a bored Ontarian wanting to debate fare zones.

[Migrant_Coconut]

You're right, this isn't the "complain about Vancouver" thread - I'm just gonna move this talk over to the Amenities thread...

[CanSpice]

Originally Posted by Changing City

I was wondering how the hell we got onto discussing steam trains in the Public Disorder thread. Then I read back, and realized Vin can't tell the difference between a train that's disorderly, and one that's 'out of order'.

The guy who brought up the flawed VPD report is trying to deflect.

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by Sheba

Just posted today - Closing Gaps, Reducing Barriers: Expanding the response to the toxic drug and overdose crisis (75 page pdf)

So I've skimmed through the report. It's about how to deal with the overdose crisis and make it more about health than crime. Any issues with "prolific offenders" in the DTES must be in a different report 'cause it ain't in this. What's mentioned about crime is diverting people with simple possession into treatment instead of jail.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Sheba

So I've skimmed through the report. It's about how to deal with the overdose crisis and make it more about health than crime. Any issues with "prolific offenders" in the DTES must be in a different report 'cause it ain't in this. What's mentioned about crime is diverting people with simple possession into treatment instead of jail.

Unfortunately, the reality is that most won't go to treatment centres but are back on the streets. Hence the budget blows up even more when there are endless follow-ups due to all the liberal attitudes towards drug use and possession. I'm not at all surprised that the budget goes up to $5bil a year, and most of it concentrated in the DTES.

Originally Posted by CanSpice

The guy who brought up the flawed VPD report is trying to deflect.

This bloke has a knack of laying red herrings.

Originally Posted by Changing City

I was wondering how the hell we got onto discussing steam trains in the Public Disorder thread. Then I read back, and realized Vin can't tell the difference between a train that's disorderly, and one that's 'out of order'.

If you have trouble connecting dots or seeing the bigger picture, then let me lay it out with a simpler explanation:
The decline of Vancouver's liveability has a lot to do with how badly things are run here, and that includes broken train rides that this generation of kids are missing out on.

[Vin]

Unlike many, at least the new ABC municipal government is acknowledging the problem with our city, and actually doing something about it.

This is a good start:

Vancouver City Council outlines hiring 200 new police officers and nurses
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-city-council-police-officers-nurses-motion-november-2022
ABC Vancouver ran on a platform of tackling crime, mental health, and homelessness, and providing support for Chinatown’s struggling businesses as its immediate priorities upon entering office.

[FarmerHaight]

Originally Posted by Vin

I'm not at all surprised that the budget goes up to $5bil a year, and most of it concentrated in the DTES.

That figure is a complete work of fiction that shouldn't spur any serious discussions.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Alberta Is Calling because the Stanley Park Christmas train is shutting down. You heard it here first, people.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

Alberta Is Calling because the Stanley Park Christmas train is shutting down. You heard it here first, people.

Fortunately for us Fort Edmonton's train is closed during the winter!

[Vin]

Originally Posted by FarmerHaight

That figure is a complete work of fiction that shouldn't spur any serious discussions.

Can you prove that, and are you implying that VPD is lying?

I know the knack of may here to shut down any conversation regarding subjects that point to the current state of our city: you included.

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

Fortunately for us Fort Edmonton's train is closed during the winter!

Thanks for including Fort Edmonton because that also puts Vancouver to shame.
https://www.fortedmontonpark.ca/plan-your-visit/admission-hours
https://www.fortedmontonpark.ca/plan-your-visit/attractions/train-and-streetcar

[CanSpice]

Originally Posted by Vin

Can you prove that, and are you implying that VPD is lying?

I know the knack of may here to shut down any conversation regarding subjects that point to the current state of our city: you included.

In case you missed it, here's Rob Shaw's article on how the report commissioned by the VPD is, in his words, "misleading nonsense", "a good work of fiction", and a "world of fantasy".

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by Vin

Can you prove that, and are you implying that VPD is lying?

I know the knack of may here to shut down any conversation regarding subjects that point to the current state of our city: you included.

Well, maybe not so much lying as 'exaggerating for effect'. They even noticed in Toronto. "It lands on the sum of $5 billion after including items like the Vancouver police and fire budgets, federal supports such as pensions for all residents of the city, and the budgets of some non-profits and charities that provide services to the entire province."

If having a train to ride on near Christmas is a sign of an advanced civilization - there's one in Squamish.

[CanSpice]

Originally Posted by Sheba

So I've skimmed through the report. It's about how to deal with the overdose crisis and make it more about health than crime. Any issues with "prolific offenders" in the DTES must be in a different report 'cause it ain't in this. What's mentioned about crime is diverting people with simple possession into treatment instead of jail.

Did you expect the Select Standing Committee on Health to not focus on health?

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by CanSpice

Did you expect the Select Standing Committee on Health to not focus on health?

A while ago, Sheba posted that the report had been published. Whatnext asked "Is this the garbage that said the term "prolific offender" shouldn't be used?" Sheba did Whatnext's homework and read the report, and explained that no, it wasn't.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by Vin

Thanks for including Fort Edmonton because that also puts Vancouver to shame.
https://www.fortedmontonpark.ca/plan-your-visit/admission-hours
https://www.fortedmontonpark.ca/plan-your-visit/attractions/train-and-streetcar

Wondering if we could get Provincial and Federal money for our train. I honestly have no idea how our City parks dept. are fully funded, I just assume it's all City money.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Changing City

A while ago, Sheba posted that the report had been published. Whatnext asked "Is this the garbage that said the term "prolific offender" shouldn't be used?" Sheba did Whatnext's homework and read the report, and explained that no, it wasn't.

So the "prolific offender" rubbish came from a different NDP commissioned report. Good to know.

[FarmerHaight]

Originally Posted by Vin

Can you prove that, and are you implying that VPD is lying?

Well the VPD didn't write the report, so the force isn't doing the lying. But the force is building a conclusion on a shaky foundation of piss-poor work.

I would expect a work of fiction of this quality to come from a keyboard warrior with access only to publicly available information; it certainly isn't worth the $149k the VPD paid for it.

It would be one thing if the report only made useless apples-to-oranges comparisons of social spending to the UBC or NASA or NHL budgets. But the fact that 40% of the "social safety net" identified in the report is related to CPP and OAS and not explicitly to the DTES makes the report a useless if not counterproductive disingenuous hack job paid for by the police lobby.

[whatnext]

Just another day in Strathcona.

Elderly woman attacked in Strathcona: VPD
By Greg Bowman
Posted Nov 13, 2022, 1:52PM PST.Last Updated Nov 13, 2022, 4:21PM PST.

Vancouver police say they are searching for a suspect after an elderly woman was attacked and held at knifepoint in Strathcona on Friday night.

The VPD says it happened around 5:30 p.m. as the 74-year-old woman was catching a bus when a stranger pushed her down, threatened her with a knife, and demanded money.

Police say the victim screamed and the suspect fled without getting any cash...

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2022/11/13/vancouver-police-elderly-woman-attacked/