Mayor Wants Homeless Criminalized

[Fancy]

*removed*

*removed* People work hard for what they have and there is no excuse to deliberately destroy and abuse others. People don't get back what they've lost and it seems the criminal is allowed to continue on their merry way. I agree something needs to be done.

[Zoso]

Put them all in an institution and let them out once they’re acceptable . And the ones that dont smarten up get fed to the others.
Like the post appocaliptic future .

[whattaday]

Imo, as someone who grew up in the system, has been homeless, had volunteered and aspired to work in the industry and has chosen an industry where solutions are applied to problems instead, as someone who used to be a “lefty” and is now on the fence railin’: There are services available for all types of issues; housing, rental supplements, pay-by-day work, employment training, KCR and IH community wellness classes hat teach emotional intelligence and how to regulate and manage your own mental health, government grants, free upgrading, employment insurance, pwd, social assistance, halfway houses, rehabilitative housing where you’re required to be 30-90 days clean in order to receive a unit, rehab centres that provide gateways to further assistance, as do the psych unit wards. What does all of this require? Making a genuine effort on your own to improve your own situation. Following up with those who are working toward your stability. Altering your life to accommodate the big adjustments that you’re working towards.

What does the average person do on a daily basis? Basically all of that; it’s how we live our lives as productive, healthy, stable adults.

I have talked to many homeless people; you have the ones who lost their job, lost their house and have minimal supports. If they’ve been fired, they should access EI or other supports (all info is available online or at WorkBC); the ones who do not want to live with society; the ones who are making $18/hour, in debt and using drugs; the ones who couch surf; the ones who have no family, terrible trauma and should have the government as PoA until they’re at a stable level to integrate back into society through unit>halfway house>independent living>rental housing. My least favourite, would be the ones who reject any offer of assistance through the appropriate support channels and outright demand monetary assistance for their own personal use. As much as it makes even the most liberal heart bleed- it takes a certain degree of “doing something” when it comes to changing your own circumstances. You cannot expect a community to hold your hand, as that’s not how it works; which may suck, but the more you actually try to improve your own life on your own terms, the stronger you become as an individual and the more resilient you are to the devastating traumas that life throws at us.

[fz6adventure]

Imo, as someone who grew up in the system, has been homeless, had volunteered and aspired to work in the industry and has chosen an industry where solutions are applied to problems instead, as someone who used to be a “lefty” and is now on the fence railin’: There are services available for all types of issues; housing, rental supplements, pay-by-day work, employment training, KCR and IH community wellness classes hat teach emotional intelligence and how to regulate and manage your own mental health, government grants, free upgrading, employment insurance, pwd, social assistance, halfway houses, rehabilitative housing where you’re required to be 30-90 days clean in order to receive a unit, rehab centres that provide gateways to further assistance, as do the psych unit wards. What does all of this require? Making a genuine effort on your own to improve your own situation. Following up with those who are working toward your stability. Altering your life to accommodate the big adjustments that you’re working towards.

What does the average person do on a daily basis? Basically all of that; it’s how we live our lives as productive, healthy, stable adults.

I have talked to many homeless people; you have the ones who lost their job, lost their house and have minimal supports. If they’ve been fired, they should access EI or other supports (all info is available online or at WorkBC); the ones who do not want to live with society; the ones who are making $18/hour, in debt and using drugs; the ones who couch surf; the ones who have no family, terrible trauma and should have the government as PoA until they’re at a stable level to integrate back into society through unit>halfway house>independent living>rental housing. My least favourite, would be the ones who reject any offer of assistance through the appropriate support channels and outright demand monetary assistance for their own personal use. As much as it makes even the most liberal heart bleed- it takes a certain degree of “doing something” when it comes to changing your own circumstances. You cannot expect a community to hold your hand, as that’s not how it works; which may suck, but the more you actually try to improve your own life on your own terms, the stronger you become as an individual and the more resilient you are to the devastating traumas that life throws at us.

Very good write. I would love to hear your thoughts on the individuals that choose to live a life, just not on the treadmill of "normal people". I would also like to hear your feedback on the situation and impacts in supportive housing where residents are under constant video surveillance.

[voice of reason]

a criminal is a criminal whether they have a home or not.just because your heart bleeds for them it does not excuse them from the fact that they are criminals.there is already a system put in place to deal with criminals.just because someone is of a diminished social standing doesnt make it ok to steal and commit property crime.if someone does something that you or I would have to go to court or jail for then they should face the same penalties.no one wants to persecute the homeless people who are not criminals or the people who mind their own business but to get all up in arms because the mayor wants criminals to be treated as criminals is laughable. the delusional left would be happy to watch this country go right down the crapper

[the truth]

and that's the truth

[fz6adventure]

a criminal is a criminal whether they have a home or not.just because your heart bleeds for them it does not excuse them from the fact that they are criminals.there is already a system put in place to deal with criminals.just because someone is of a diminished social standing doesnt make it ok to steal and commit property crime.if someone does something that you or I would have to go to court or jail for then they should face the same penalties.no one wants to persecute the homeless people who are not criminals or the people who mind their own business but to get all up in arms because the mayor wants criminals to be treated as criminals is laughable. the delusional left would be happy to watch this country go right down the crapper

Sure. What are your thoughts on the city's unlawful bylaw that prohibits camping in the City of Kelowna public parks overnight - Abbotsford had the same bylaw and it was determined by the courts to be an unlawful bylaw - Abbotsford's bylaw was subsequently re-written to be lawful. When this was brought to the City of Kelowna's attention they refused to consider re-writing the bylaw so it is not unlawful. They even refuse to remove the "no camping" signage. Should the City be dragged into court? Maybe Sugarplum can spend a couple days in the same cell they are holding the homeless criminal!

Think about it .... if the homeless could call it a night in the park they would not be in alleys, on sidewalks and in doorways. The City could help but they won't.

[voice of reason]

Sure. What are your thoughts on the city's unlawful bylaw that prohibits camping in the City of Kelowna public parks overnight - Abbotsford had the same bylaw and it was determined by the courts to be an unlawful bylaw - Abbotsford's bylaw was subsequently re-written to be lawful. When this was brought to the City of Kelowna's attention they refused to consider re-writing the bylaw so it is not unlawful. They even refuse to remove the "no camping" signage. Should the City be dragged into court? Maybe Sugarplum can spend a couple days in the same cell they are holding the homeless criminal!

Think about it .... if the homeless could call it a night in the park they would not be in alleys, on sidewalks and in doorways. The City could help but they won't.

if there is a bylaw against it it is illegal.if the bylaw is unlawful then it must be found unlawful in court .until then it stands.what is the issue here?

[fz6adventure]

if there is a bylaw against it it is illegal.if the bylaw is unlawful then it must be found unlawful in court .until then it stands.what is the issue here?

The "no camping" bylaw has been found unlawful (Abbotsford (City) v. Shantz, 2015 BCSC 1909) on October 21, 2015, yet Kelowna has not updated their bylaw, and on request, has refused to do so. What is the hurry though ...... it has only been 20 months since the decision.

The "no camping" bylaw is just one example of many bylaws on the books that have already been found unlawful in the courts ...... but the City keeps them on the books as a threat tool against those without the wherewithal and means to fight back.

One more thing. It ended up costing the City of Abbotsford well north of $600,000 to try and bully the downtrodden. From a pure fiscal management perspective, is that where you want your taxation going in Kelowna?

These are just a couple of issues here.

[the truth]

*removed*

[2x4eyes]

Hey...While we're at it, can we criminalize the following items as well?
a) Stupidity
b) Parents who let their kids do whatever they want
c) Anyone considered as a 'bully' by any individual
d) Kids who verbally abuse parents
e) Anyone who litters
f) Anyone who talks trash about someone else
g) Anyone who can't afford to pay any bill
h) Anyone who doesn't own a vehicle or drive
h) And the list goes on and on and on....

Seriously folks - sometimes I really have to wonder what some people are thinking...

'Criminalizing' something never makes 'the problem' go away - Guns, drugs, drunk driving, murder, and several other issues all still exist although 'criminalized'.

[Treblehook]

Court ordered rehab takes those that are arrested out of the equation.

Somebody dreaming here?

[voice of reason]

so your answer is to let them "camp" in the park. no thanks.city park doesnt need to turn in to a shanty town . that is the dumbest idea i have ever heard

[Anonymous123]

Court ordered rehab takes those that are arrested out of the equation.

Somebody dreaming here?

Not at all. If someone is in court ordered rehab they won't be on the street. Did you follow the thread or were you just skim reading?

[MalaPropina]

so your answer is to let them "camp" in the park. no thanks.city park doesnt need to turn in to a shanty town . that is the dumbest idea i have ever heard

I know, right? I'd rather my hard earned tax dollars go to getting these people OFF our streets not going toward cleaning up after them in our parks. Making it more convenient and comfortable to be outdoors will only exacerbate the problems.