Mayor May Tread on Civil Liberties to Force Homeless Indoors

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson has responded to the death of a 47 yr. old homeless woman at Hornby and Davie early this morning, by stating that he is considering infringing on civil liberties. Robertson's response to the death of "Tracy", who was spotted by a taxi driver engulfed in flames at 4:30 a.m. after apparently using candles for heat, was reported on the CKNW radio website,

"Vancouver's mayor says letting people who can't take care of themselves die in the street is immoral, and something needs to be done, even if it means treading on their civil rights."

Vancouver Police already have the power under the Mental Health Act via "Car 87", a police car carrying an armed constable and a psych nurse, to apprehend people who are at imminent risk of harming themselves. That is, if it's used as it was intended. And that's a big IF.

There is evidence that police -- both the VPD in Vancouver and the RCMP at UBC -- in conjunction with psych nurses, have been perverting such power for political ends such as intimidating whistle blowers who are embarrassing United Way, the Vancouver School Board, or CUPE Local 116. 

Not all the homeless are mentally ill though.  According to Tenant Assistant Program Coordinator Judy Graves, who walks the streets and helps the homeless get a place to stay, some homeless people won't go to shelters because they can't take their shopping carts or their pets.