Frustration is mounting for some downtown Vancouver residents who say city council isn’t doing enough to help them or homeless people who are camping in neighbourhood parks overnight.
“Kids are often tiptoeing through human excrement and used needles as they try to use our local playground and green space,” Fern Jeffries said.
Jeffries lives near Andy Livingstone Park, where, she said, trash, used needles and an influx of homeless people sleeping in the area has become an all too familiar sight.
On Thursday, tents blocking the sidewalk beneath the overpass at Andy Livingstone Park were removed, but not before residents emailed the city. Jeffries and others say city staff and police are helpful, but they’re not convinced elected leaders are doing all they can to help residents and the homeless.
“Staff are very understanding and supportive, but I don’t really see them having the resources or political backing to do what needs to be done,” Jeffries said.
Some of that frustration is shared by those living on the street who feel councillors are ignoring them too.
“As far as the city is concerned and the mayor – why aren’t you doing anything about it? I’ve gone down to the office numerous times and nobody’s ever there. Something’s gotta be done. It’s getting cold and wet and it’s miserable,” said Stephen “Red” Robinson, who camps with six others at Wendy Poole Park.
Though the city has taken issue with them being there, it’s safer and cleaner than single room occupancy hotels, he added.
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The city recently removed an encampment in West Hastings, but NPA councillor Melissa de Genova said it’s going to take more effort from Vision Vancouver councillors to keep it and other encampments from returning.
“We’re seeing tent cities pop up here in Andy Livingston and Oppenheimer Park. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, I counted 22 tents there myself. So really Vision Vancouver needs to wake up,” she said.
A city spokesperson said in an email that more shelter spaces will be opening up soon.
Over the past six to 12 months, the Park Board has received an influx of resident complaints about homeless people sleeping in city parks. Security has been hired to patrol Andy Livingstone Park, but it’s going to take more collaboration with various stakeholders to truly address the problem, Park Board Commissioner Sarah Kirby-Yung said.
“This is bigger than what the Park Board can tackle on their own,” she explained.
Residents say the Park Board has been helpful. Still, they don’t want politics to overshadow the need for civic leaders to act.
“We have to balance the needs and concerns of children and families with the needs and concerns of the homeless and we feel that that balance is really out of whack here,” Jeffries said.
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