[homeles_ot-l] Vancouver FW: Ambassador funding cut applauded

[Lynne Browne]

FYI from Bob Mather on use of public space

Lynne Browne
Coordinator, Alliance to End Homelessness (ATEH)
147 Besserer St., Ottawa, ON K1N 6A7
613-241-7913, ext. 205, Cell 613-513-6647
www.endhomelessnessottawa.ca  
 
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Pivot Newswire <info at pivotlegal.org>
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2009 16:35:09 -0500
Subject: Ambassador funding cut applauded
To: Bob <bobmatherclone at gmail.com>

Ambassador funding cut applauded
Vancouver, February 6, 2009 - Pivot Legal Society applauds Vancouver City
Council's vote yesterday to end public funding for expansion of the Downtown
Ambassador program.

Pivot's housing campaign lawyer Laura Track presented to City Council in
advance of the vote, urging them to discontinue the program and said she was
very happy with the result. "With this decision, City Council has recognized
that public money should not be spent on private security guards that are
unaccountable to the broader public. The Ambassadors are asked to address
'street disorder,' but lack both the training and the mandate to address
systemic issues of poverty, homelessness, mental illness and addiction."

Josh Paterson of the Vancouver Public Space Network, who also presented,
agrees. "All  people have an equal right to make use of public space,
including to sit, sleep or panhandle," says Paterson. "Businesses must not
be allowed to dictate appropriate uses of space that, by definition, belongs
to everyone."

In  2008, Pivot conducted a study asking 160 residents of the Downtown
Eastside  about  their experiences with private security patrols.  The
results, published in the report [1]Security before Justice, showed that
poor,  homeless and under-housed individuals were far more likely than
employed and adequately housed individuals to report frequent, negative
interactions with private guards. Additionally, those interactions were much
more likely to occur on public property.
  Links:
    1. http://www.pivotlegal.org/pdfs/securitybeforejustice.pdf

Dr.  Darcie Bennett, who conducted the study, says "The results of our
research showed that private guards were targeting the most vulnerable and
marginalized individuals and overstepping their authority on public space.
City Council's decision to end its funding for these kinds of programs is a
step in the right direction."

[2]See Laura Track and Josh Paterson present to Council (Josh at 43:50 and
Laura from 51:00 - 01:12:30)
  Links:
    2.
http://cityofvan-as1.insinc.com/ibc/mp/md/open/c/317/1201/200902050900wv150e
nr0928,001

Media Contact: Laura Track, tel. 604-721-6349

==============================================
Pivot's mandate is to take a strategic approach to social change,
using the law to address the root causes that undermine the quality of
life of those most on the margins. We believe that everyone,
regardless of income, benefits from a healthy and inclusive community
where values such as opportunity, respect and equality are strongly
rooted in the law.

Unsubscribe bobmatherclone at gmail.com from this list:
http://pivotlegal.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=9a451e878eeec0a3e584da1a3&id
=0ec5aed856&e=f0f2be7646&c=3e8fbf1dc0

Our mailing address is:
Pivot
678 Hastings Street East
Vancouver, BC V6A 1R1

Our telephone:
604-255-9700

Forward this email to a friend:
http://forward-to-friend.com/forward?u=9a451e878eeec0a3e584da1a3&id=3e8fbf1d
c0&e=f0f2be7646

Update your profile:
http://pivotlegal.list-manage.com/profile?u=9a451e878eeec0a3e584da1a3&id=0ec
5aed856&e=f0f2be7646


-- 
By paying attention to and addressing these underlying determinants of
health, not only do we level the playing field for all Canadians, we
effectively support the functioning of society and Canada's
competitiveness as a nation. As fewer are left behind more will
prosper.
                                                                En
portant attention aux déterminants sous-jacents de la santé et en s'y
attaquant, non seulement nous égalisons les chances pour tous les
Canadiens, mais nous favorisons aussi le fonctionnement de la société
et la compétitivité du Canada en tant que pays. Moins il y aura de
gens laissés pour compte, plus notre société sera prospère.

Dr. David Butler-Jones

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG. 
Version: 7.5.552 / Virus Database: 270.10.19/1941 - Release Date: 09/02/2009
6:50 AM
 

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG. 
Version: 7.5.552 / Virus Database: 270.10.19/1941 - Release Date: 09/02/2009
6:50 AM