Vancouver Police have closed East Hastings Street between Main Street and Columbia Wednesday morning to allow the city to bring the “encampment to a close”.
“We have deployed additional officers to the Downtown Eastside this morning as the City of Vancouver continues to work within the Hastings Street encampment,” tweeted Vancouver Police.
The City of Vancouver released a statement saying that they have “requested support from the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) to bring the East Hastings encampment to a close following a steady deterioration in public safety and an increase in fires in the area and the encampment zone”.
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“Today, City staff, with assistance from members of the VPD, will be working to remove all remaining entrenched tents and structures in the area, approximately 80 in total. The VPD will be present to ensure staff safety as they do their work and enforce the Streets and Traffic Bylaw as necessary,” reads their statement.
Back in July 2022, the Fire Chief’s Order outlined a number of safety concerns along East Hastings.
“The persistent fire risk posed by the encampment and recent fires in neighbouring buildings has made the situation on East Hastings even more precarious.”
“Fires are occurring too regularly in the area and with escalating intensity due to an accumulation of materials and propane tanks.”
“More than 400 outdoor fires on East Hastings have occurred over the last eight months. Four people have already been injured this year.”
At a press conference Wednesday morning, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said, “We need to restore Hastings as a street that is safe and welcoming to everyone.”
City officials are encouraging those who have taken up shelter along East Hastings to accept shelter offers.
“While shelters are far from ideal, they provide a safer option than sheltering in an entrenched encampment.”