Disorder

A sidewalk covered in fallen autumn leaves on East Hastings Street in Vancouver with an individual lying on the ground near local storefronts and passersby.
Community

The Downtown Eastside’s Right to an Ordinary Life

Progress in the Downtown Eastside can coexist with an intolerable ordinary day. Compassion has to reach beyond the next emergency, to the people needing care and the neighbours trying to live and work beside them.
Close-up of the iconic red 'W' sign atop the historic Woodward's building in Vancouver, symbolizing the site's legacy and transformation over the years.
Housing

Woodward’s: The Unraveling of Vancouver’s Gentrification Icon

Once seen as a transformative project, Woodward’s redevelopment promised to redefine Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, blending social housing, high-end condos, and cultural spaces to bridge ...
A view of a busy street in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, showing vehicles, pedestrians, and ongoing construction. Buildings line the street, reflecting the area's urban character and developmental changes.
Policy

Vancouver Mayor Halts New Supportive Housing Projects in Downtown Eastside

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has announced a decisive shift in addressing the challenges of the Downtown Eastside (DTES), halting the approval of new supportive ...
Vancouver Police Department building with two patrol vehicles parked outside, located on East Cordova Street, symbolizing law enforcement efforts in the city.
Order

Vancouver Crime Trends 2023-2024: Insights and Key Changes

Crime statistics reflect societal changes, offering crucial insights into urban safety and law enforcement efficacy. Vancouver’s crime data from 2023 and 2024 provide a ...
An aerial view of people gathering on a busy street corner in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, showcasing street activity and daily life against an urban backdrop.
Order

Save Our Streets Forum Addresses BC Safety and Public Concerns

On January 23, 2025, Vancouver will host a forum addressing public safety challenges across British Columbia. Organized by Save Our Streets (SOS), a coalition ...
People in distress standing alongside East Hastings Street in Downtown Eastside Vancouver
Community

The Downtown Eastside Phenomenon Where a Neighbourhood Becomes a Metaphor

Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside has long symbolized the complexities of urban inequality, its streets reflecting a deep convergence of poverty, addiction, and systemic neglect. Once ...
Two men pictured on the sidewalk in visible distress leaning against the wall of graffiti
Order

Reclaiming Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside for a Future of Order and Equity

In Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, visible disorder has become the defining feature of public spaces. Encampments, open drug use, and vandalized properties paint a picture ...
Picture of an illegal street vendors selling goods on the sidewalk of East Hastings Street in Downtown eastside Vancouver
Order

Vancouver Cracks Down on Illegal Street Vending in the Downtown Eastside

The City of Vancouver has announced a decisive response to the proliferation of illegal street vending on East Hastings Street, marking the start of ...
Vancouver Police Department officer captured standing on the sidewalk of East Hastings Street in Downtown Eastside Vancouver
Order

Is Urban Disorder Canada’s Real Threat?

Amid increasing concerns about crime and safety in Canada, particularly in urban centres, one overlooked factor is emerging as a major player in public ...
People are captured in front of Ramada Inn Hotel in Vancouver, recently converted into SRO
Order

Five Vancouver SROs generate over 30,000 police calls

Over the past five years, a troubling trend has been emerging in the heart of Vancouver. Five single-room occupancy (SRO) and supportive housing properties ...
Two men openly use drugs in problematic Downtown Eastside Vancouver amidst drug epidemic in Canada
Voices

Josh Dehaas: Japan Shows Canadians Don’t Need to Accept Urban Disorder

In a thought-provoking opinion piece, journalist Josh Dehaas argues that Canada’s current approach to drug addiction and urban disorder has failed, pointing to Japan ...
Vancouver Police Department Special Constables captured on the streets of Downtown Eastside Vancouver.
Order

629 Calls to Police and a Community in Crisis

The Downtown Eastside (DTES) of Vancouver has long been a focal point for discussions around homelessness, addiction, and public safety. Now, a recent report ...
Police containing a crowd of people in Downtown Vancouver amidst the growing concern of local citizens with their community's safety.
Policy

British Columbians Demand New Approaches to Crime, Addiction, and Public Safety

As the opioid crisis and rising crime continue to shape public discourse, a new province-wide survey conducted by Research Co. has revealed that British ...

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