Images of the leaflets have started to circulate on social media, with reports of them being thrown from the car window. Someone was going around throwing these out the car window 2 nights ago – I was actually speechless for once. pic.twitter.com/JNaalvK5ob — Trey Helten (@ashtrey5) August 15, 2022 Story continues below ad The flyers state that “tents and items on the sides (sic) will be burned with gasoline and propane canisters” and that Insite, the supervised injection site, “will be the first building to be burned,” warning that people have seven days for “compliance”. “Residents living in the area will not have you destroy our community anymore with your selfishness, (sic),” the flyers read. “This is a serious warning to the homeless in the area. Get out now or suffer the consequences of your selfish addiction.” A Downtown Eastside resident who gave her name as Kirsteen told Global News the flyers have rattled the neighborhood. “I had two girls tell me they were being thrown out of a car window at Main and Hastings,” he said. “One of the girls outside (the Society for Overdose Prevention) told me she had one strategically placed outside her tent so she could see it as soon as she threw up from her tent in the morning. “If these are people with addictions, then what is this person doing who wrote this? Not human? Maybe because they’re threatening to burn everyone.” In a media release Monday, Vancouver police warned residents of the Hastings Street tent city to be vigilant and report suspicious activity. Police said they are investigating who was responsible for the leaflets. Story continues below ad
Read more: ‘Vulnerable’ woman set on fire in Downtown Eastside, police say
“Until we know more, we’re asking everyone to be extra vigilant, watch out for their neighbors and report suspicious activity,” said Sgt. said Steve Addison. Global News is seeking comment from Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart. In a tweet, Stewart said the flyers were “reprehensible and will not be tolerated. “Those responsible will be held to the full extent of the law.” Got this from @JenStDen today. Unhoused people in Hastings deserve our support, friendship and compassion. This is reprehensible and will not be tolerated. Those involved will be dealt with to the full extent of the law. Anyone with information please contact me or @VancouverPD. pic.twitter.com/rHY1olS4Xb — Kennedy Stewart (@kennedystewart) August 15, 2022 The investigation comes amid efforts by the city to remove the controversial Hastings Street encampment, following a fire safety order by Vancouver Fire Chief Karen Fry to clear the street of construction. Story continues below ad Homeless advocates and BC Housing say there is no housing available to accommodate those on the street. 1:15 Vancouver police say woman set fire in random attack Vancouver police say woman set fire in random attack – July 27, 2022 There have been several attacks targeting homeless people in the Lower Mainland in recent weeks. In late July, someone allegedly set fire to a woman sitting on the sidewalk on Hastings Street. That same day, someone reportedly set fire to a homeless man’s homemade shelter in the Downtown Eastside.
Read more: ‘They’re good people’: Langley shootings and B.C. expose dangers faced by homeless people on the streets
That same week, a man shot four people, killing two, in Langley. Many of the victims were reportedly currently or formerly homeless. Anyone with information about the flyers is asked to contact Vancouver police at 604-717-2541 or call 911 if they see a crime in progress. Story continues below ad © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
