Press Release: From “pens” to “penitentiaries”. Only 15 tents remain in Park Board’s botched “FEMA North” operation

Unceded xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Swx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) territories, April 8, 2024 —

The number of spaces in the legally designated area at CRAB Park have been reduced to 15 as of this morning, and the locked fence was only removed this afternoon.

Other tents in the designated area were taken down by the Park Board this morning.

There are almost 5,000 homeless people in Greater Vancouver.

The Park Board initially designed pen-like structures on the hillside for residents to move to temporarily while the peninsula was “cleaned-up”. The tents in the peninsula are in 10’x10’ spaces (smaller than the average parking space), delineated with actual concrete parking blocks. With no separation from the gravelled ground, tents are pooling water between the tents and tarps, worrying residents.

“The new tent sites provided come with a pool of water between your ground sheet and your tent. Wet + cold = hypothermia. Or maybe one tent fire to take out all the tents all together since they are barely 3’ apart. It’s usually windy here with the waterfront and all!” — T

No new individuals are being allowed to enter the fenced-off, court-protected designated area. In other words, the City will purposefully shrink CRAB Park until they have eliminated the only protected place to shelter if you are unhoused.

A single woman who was denied access to the designated area went to live under a bridge. Grassroots supporters provided her with a fire extinguisher and Narcan kits.

In addition, a new set of draconian Bylaws is set to pass at the Park Board Commissioner Meeting tonight. These amendments come a week after the Park Board forcibly evicted all residents from CRAB Park and tore down their existing shelters. A select number of residents are now being allowed to return, but are being given small spaces on gravel, poor quality city-mandated tents, and barred from bringing in beds or mattresses. Residents are also being told that if they leave their tent for even one night, the tent will be removed and the space closed off.

Park rangers are routinely filming camp supporters on personal cell phones, and the City of Vancouver has resorted to attacking supporters with unverified accounts.

There are currently 32 tents on the hillside at CRAB Park, and approximately 15 tents in the designated area.

Media etiquette: Please remember that a tent is a home and be respectful of personal space

Media Contacts

Fiona Y, advocate, 604–251–6164

Ryan S, supporter, 778–668–1645

Michelle G-C, supporter (médias francophones), 604–817–7668

Residents may be available to speak to media upon request.