Violent threat to people living on East Hastings prompts police investigation

A violent and threatening flyer targeting unhoused people in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) has prompted an investigation by the Vancouver Police Department.

An unknown person or people began distributing threatening flyers along East Hastings Street over the weekend, claiming tents and belongings on sidewalks will be burned with gasoline and propane canisters if not moved.

“YOU HAVE 7 DAYS TO COMPLY,” the flyer reads.

“THIS IS A SERIOUS WARNING TO THE HOMELESS IN THE AREA. LEAVE NOW OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR SELFISH ACTIONS.”

Somebody was driving around throwing these out of a car window 2 nights ago – I’m actually speechless for once. pic.twitter.com/JNaalvK5ob

— Trey Helten (@ashtrey5) August 15, 2022

Insite, North America’s first safe consumption site, was directly mentioned in the flyer and threatened with arson.

“INSITE: THE SAFE INJECTION SITE WILL BE THE FIRST TO BUILDING TO BE BURNED DOWN IF THE HOMELESS AND ADDICTED HUMAN (SIC) DO NOT LEAVE THE AREA IN THE 7 DAY PERIOD.”

“LAST AND FINAL PROMISE.”

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Vancouver police are asking those living along the corridor to be “vigilant.”

In a statement to CityNews, Sgt. Steve Addison says VPD is now looking to identify who is responsible for the flyers.

“We are working to identify the person or people responsible for these messages, which have understandably caused fear and anxiety in the Downtown Eastside,” Addison says. “Until we know more, we’re asking everyone to be extra vigilant, to look out for their neighbours, and to report suspicious activity.”

In an email, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) says it’s aware of the flyers circulating the DTES which threaten the safety of unsheltered people and Insite, a harm reduction service operated by the authority.

“VCH has a zero-tolerance approach to any threats to the safety of our staff or clients who access services at our health care facilities,” the health authority wrote to CityNews. “As many of our clients who use substances also live with mental health concerns and trauma, it is paramount they feel safe, secure, and unjudged while accessing essential health care, including harm reduction services.”

VCH says it’s aware that police are now investigating the flyers, and adds it, along with its community partners, is “committed to maintaining the safety and security of healthcare services in this community.”

In a Twitter post Monday, Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart says that unhoused people on Hastings deserve our support, friendship and compassion, and urges anyone with information to contact Vancouver police.

“This is reprehensible & won’t be tolerated. Those involved will be regarded with the fullest extent of the law,” he wrote.

This is a terrifying and unacceptable threat of violence, in addition to what unhoused community members in the #DTES face every day.

If dozens of police were at the decampment last week but we don’t see an urgent response to this, what does that say about this city? https://t.co/5aEzNEImwg

— Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society (@vanaboriginal) August 15, 2022

Structures along a stretch of East Hastings Street were supposed to be cleared last week, after Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services issued an order citing fire risks on July 25.

Just a few weeks ago, police say a stranger doused a woman with a flammable liquid and set her on fire while she sat on the sidewalk on Dunlevy Avenue, while that same day VPD said a man called police after his homemade structure was set on fire.

Anyone with information about the threatening flyers is being asked to call VPD’s Major Crime Section at 604-717-2541, and to call 9111 to report a crime-in-progress or an immediate safety concern.

CityNews has reached out to VCH and Insite’s operator, Portland Housing Society, for comment.

With files from Crystal Laderas