City of Vancouver to crack down on DTES illegal street market

The City of Vancouver says it is cracking down connected amerciable thoroughfare vending successful the Downtown Eastside.

In an announcement issued connected Wednesday, the metropolis said it volition present instrumentality a “firmer approach” to enforcement of the thoroughfare and postulation bylaws connected Hastings Street.

“The street vending country connected Hastings St has besides go a superior destination for stolen goods, some locally and crossed the region,” the metropolis said successful a statement.

Enforcement volition commencement with vendors being asked to wide the sidewalks and if vendors bash not comply, unit whitethorn impound their items and contented penalties for unpermitted vending.

“Our archetypal precedence is the information and well-being of each Vancouverites, particularly those successful our susceptible communities,” Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said successful a statement.

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“Increased enforcement of amerciable vending demonstrates our continued committedness to ensuring the Downtown Eastside streets are harmless and accessible for everyone.”

Vancouver constabulary said the illicit marketplace connected East Hastings Street has led to a convulsive shoplifting epidemic that continues to interaction concern owners, unit and shoppers.

“Thousands of dollars successful merchandise is stolen each time – often with unit by repetition offenders – and resold for pennies connected the dollar by transgression networks successful the Downtown Eastside,” Vancouver constabulary Chief Adam Palmer said.

The metropolis said unit are exploring ways for susceptible radical successful the Downtown Eastside to supplement their income that bash not see stolen goods oregon amerciable activities.

Property owners who spot vending successful beforehand of their concern should telephone 311 to study the address, the metropolis said.