An extreme fire risk and escalating crime have made a tent encampment in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside a deadly hazard and it must be closed, the city’s mayor, fire chief and police chief say.
City officials held a news conference Tuesday as Vancouver police officers and city staff were dispatched to dismantle the tent encampment along Hastings Street.
Mayor Ken Sim said the longer the street camp continues, the higher the odds more people will lose their lives and even more people will lose their homes to the fire hazard.
The dismantling of the #DTES encampment on E Hastings has begun. Vancouver police blocking access from Columbia to Gore. Folks down here not happy. More to come @CityNewsVAN pic.twitter.com/EqzOvpnlFJ
— Michael Williams (@MikeWillsTake) April 5, 2023
They did the right thing. Now will they stick with enforcement?
