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Ross McLaughlin and Sandra Hermiston, CTV Vancouver
Published Thursday, January 18, 2018 6:00AM PST
Last Updated Thursday, January 18, 2018 6:56PM PST
The image the City of Vancouver had for Robson Square as an idyllic public space for families to gather and enjoy music and watch buskers has long disappeared and been replaced by illegal pot vendors selling their goods.
“It’s a joke,” said Charles Gauthier, president of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association. "It's not family-friendly. I mean, we used to have tables and chairs here in this space."
His organization originally supported closing down traffic on Robson Street to open a public square, but what he sees now disgusts him.
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The proposed sketch of what Robson Square was supposed to look like, and some of the pot vendors who now occupy the area daily. (CTV)
On any given day, you can watch fights break out, watch as teens try to gain access to marijuana and pot sellers try to take justice into their own hands by threatening and intimidating those who try to disrupt their trade.
It started out with a handful of tents and tables. On some days, you can now see up to a dozen or more illegal weed vendors pushing their product.
Food truck operators who pay the city to be in the square and play by the rules have had enough and feel like they’re being squeezed out.
“It's like you're a deer and your surrounded by wolves. It is and they're all nipping at you," Allister Fitsgerald told CTV News standing beside the Sauzzy Thai food truck that he and his wife operate in the square.
The city says it issues two warnings to the vendors before handing out $1,000 fines.
"Enforcement is our last resort and we try to work with them and, largely, over the last year it's been fairly successful," said Jerry Dobrovolny, chief engineer and general manager of engineering services.
It’s not working. The city does have the right to seize the pot and marijuana edibles, but that hasn’t happened.
“I think they should seize right away. Why give a warning?" Gauthier pointed out.
“I'm not impressed with it. I see it every time I come through here now,” said one longtime West End resident as she walked through the square.
We invited CTV viewers to weigh in as well.
Here are some of the comments we’ve received. We’ve taken out their email addresses and last names. We have not edited the content, so you may see some typos etc.:
Mike
Dear Sir - I suggest that your program tonight be called, "Three Billboards Outside Robson Square" with one billboard reading: "Chief Palmer, when are you going to do something?" Another one: "Mayor Robertson, Clear The Air In Robson Square" Another one: "You Haven't Done A Lot With The Pot"
Joe
Mr. Mclaughlin.
I am a retired police officer with over 35 years of service. I find it deplorable and a dereliction of duties by the Vancouver Police Department, in that they allow the open sale of drugs, not only to exist, but to allow it to go unimpeded without action. On July 18th, 2016 I sent a letter to Chief Palmer (attached) advising him of his oath of office under section 70 of the Police Act, where he swore to execute his duties honestly and impartially and failure to do so was a direct dereliction of his duties.
On July 24th, 2016, I received a response from Inspector Bruce Martin #1759 for Chief Palmer. In this e mail (attached) he goes on to explain that they are not in the position to do anything to stop the stores selling pot, due to Canada Federal Health guide lines. He goes on to make excuses as to why they could not do anything and eludes to priorities and so on and so on! The need for Medical Marijuana (which in itself is a joke) will all but disappear when it becomes legal, but until then it remains illegal and for the Mayor and City Officials to allow it continue borders on the City profiting from proceeds of Crime.
It is easy to stop this open selling of Marijuana in Vancouver. As it is being sold in the open, in a public place and in plain view, one does not need a warrant. Acting under Section 5 (1) and (2) of the Controlled Drugs And Substances Act, they should be arrested and charged with possession and possession for the purpose of trafficking. Their money ,drugs and property seized. They could be released on a Promise to Appear for a future court date with conditions not to possess any illegal substance or to attend the area of Downtown Vancouver. They treat the By-Law tickets as a joke, when they are actually breaking the law. Facing a criminal charge would not seem as such a joke and when the rest see what real enforcement is like the open selling of Marijuana will disappear. It is because of people in authority doing nothing over the last 40 to 50 years is why we now have a drug problem and with the upcoming legalization it is bound to get worse.
Angela
Dear Ross,
First of all, I want to thank you for all of your great reporting and the help you bring to so many!
I’ve been watching your coverage of the Robson Street pot sales and am so completely perplexed that I’m not even sure what to write. The fact that the Vancouver Police are not forcing shut downs of these illegal commercial pot sales is such a blatant injustice to the public and neglect of duty that I feel the city should be held legally responsible for any criminal and/or wrongful death suits that will inevitably arise from these unregulated, illegal drug sales.
Imagine a group doing the same thing with alcohol sales, tobacco sales, or even prescription drug sales. I’m sure the city would be sweeping in at lightning speed! And would the difference in their reaction be because those are revenue generating substances? It would be sad to think that the government doesn’t care much as long as they aren’t losing any tax payer dollars, but it sure looks that way from my perspective.
It all boils down to protecting the laws we have in place and prioritizing laws that protect public safety. And this is one gigantic threat to public safety! I sure hope the City of Vancouver isn’t waiting for someone to end up in hospital or even die before stepping up.
So happy you’re here to shine a light in dark places
Eileen
So when Vancouver goes Green it means Cannabis Green?
What a disgrace that closed area behind the art gallery has turned into. Uncivil.
Brandon
Hello, firstly, great reporting on this situation. I am very glad CTV does not turn a blind eye to this like other media does.
Now here's my questions;
- Why is the VPD chief not saying anything or responding to the concerns?
- If the city of Vancouver is essentially setting a precedent by saying that they don't really care if you sell without permits, what would stop others from trafficking other illicit drugs?
-If the police don't care about the selling of illegal drugs, does this mean it's okay for people to start selling hard drugs like cocaine and fentanyl at this open drug market?
-Why does the police not care at all even though they are breaking the laws?
-if people started selling alcohol at this public market, why would they be shut down so fast but not the same as drug??
- What if people started setting up shop and selling weed in front of schools? Would VPD also not act? Essentially they are sending the message that it's okay to do.
Rick
Hi Ross,
Re: your feature on the ongoing illegal pot market in Robson Square, I have just one thing to say to the mayor - Do your job and shut it down!
This is so ridiculous it's beyond words. They wouldn't allow a hot dog vendor to operate without a license.
Good work, guys.
Angie
I am appalled at the lack of enforcement of laws around the illegal sale of “pot” at Robson square.
If our law enforcement personal do not enforce the laws we are to abide by then we are headed for a lawless society.
Please keep up the good work in making this topic a priority.
Richard
Hello Ross
It would appear that both, those at Vancouver city hall, and the Vancouver police must be under a cannabis daze, acting as all users do, putting off what they should do today until tomorrow, whenever that is.
Best wishes, Richard
PS- just think, we can all LEGALLY delay life's important realities come the summer.
