Downtown business security man calls for sanctions against protesters

By Mark Hasiuk-Staff writer

The courts need to crack down on protesters before the anti-Olympic movement spirals out of control, says a former Vancouver police officer.

"It's bloody obnoxious disgusting behaviour, and it's getting worse," said Dave Jones, a retired 30-year veteran of the Vancouver Police Department and current director of crime prevention for the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association. "We see the same people time after time, and now they've seized on the Olympics as their icon for their personal discontent."

A rash of violent demonstrations began last month when protesters stormed the podium during the unveiling of the Olympic countdown clock at the Vancouver Art Gallery. The clock has since been defaced by graffiti and the Olympic flag has been stolen from outside city hall. The latest incident took place last Thursday when police clashed with approximately 50 protesters in the downtown core.

Police laid several charges ranging from mischief to assault with a weapon. Jones said Crown prosecutors must make sure violent protesters get the message.

"We'd like to see sanctions applied to those people who are arrested at these events," he said, calling for stiffer penalties that include a ban on attending future public gatherings. "The lack of sanctions has emboldened people to think criminal behaviour is an acceptable part of a protest."

Jones also called on the public to attend Olympic promotional events to counteract the actions of a violent minority. "Whether you support the Olympics or not, you should come out and show what a peaceful demonstration can actually look like," he said. "If you don't want a criminal in your crowd, then tell him you don't want him in your crowd."

Jones, whose 16 security officers help patrol a 90-block area downtown, said many of the 8,000 businesses in the DVBIA are concerned about the negative image violent protests project on behalf of the city.

Jason Gratl, president of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, said the courts can apply bail conditions that prevent protesters who are arrested from legally attending future events, but a mischief charge-commonly used on protesters-is not likely to warrant such a ban.

"It's a condition that ought to be imposed with careful consideration of the accused person's right to free expression."

Gratl suggested the concern from the businesses community has little to do with civic pride and is more about money. "Protests might be bad for business, but they are good for democracy."

published on 03/21/2007