P.O.W.E.R.
@power1312.bsky.social
police oversight with evidence & research
organizing for community power in DTES | we keep us safe
subscribe to our free newsletter: www.policeoversight.ca
organizing for community power in DTES | we keep us safe
subscribe to our free newsletter: www.policeoversight.ca
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
We honour people with lived and living experience who have long resisted coercive drug policy, including those who launched last year’s petition opposing involuntary care. Their leadership continues to guide this work.
Statement: www.policeoversight.ca/p/harm-reduc...
Petition: shorturl.at/ZHh2E
Statement: www.policeoversight.ca/p/harm-reduc...
Petition: shorturl.at/ZHh2E
Harm Reduction Nurses Association & Doctors for Safer Drug Policy encourage colleagues to stand down from implementing BC NDP Mental Health Act changes
Proposals to expand so-called “involuntary treatment” for substance use disorders is not a health intervention, it is a political response to fear, misinformation, and moral panic.
www.policeoversight.ca
November 26, 2025 at 11:28 PM
We honour people with lived and living experience who have long resisted coercive drug policy, including those who launched last year’s petition opposing involuntary care. Their leadership continues to guide this work.
Statement: www.policeoversight.ca/p/harm-reduc...
Petition: shorturl.at/ZHh2E
Statement: www.policeoversight.ca/p/harm-reduc...
Petition: shorturl.at/ZHh2E
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
We are calling on colleagues, health-care associations, unions, regulatory bodies, and public health leaders to endorse the statement, share it widely, and join us in demanding voluntary, evidence-based, rights-affirming responses to the toxic drug crisis.
#WeRefuse #bcpoli #harmreduction
#WeRefuse #bcpoli #harmreduction
November 26, 2025 at 11:28 PM
We are calling on colleagues, health-care associations, unions, regulatory bodies, and public health leaders to endorse the statement, share it widely, and join us in demanding voluntary, evidence-based, rights-affirming responses to the toxic drug crisis.
#WeRefuse #bcpoli #harmreduction
#WeRefuse #bcpoli #harmreduction
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
We Refuse: Health Workers Against Involuntary Care is now public.
@hrna.bsky.social and DSDP are circulating a joint statement opposing BC’s plan to expand involuntary drug treatment. This approach is ineffective, increases overdose risk, violates autonomy, and harms marginalized communities.
@hrna.bsky.social and DSDP are circulating a joint statement opposing BC’s plan to expand involuntary drug treatment. This approach is ineffective, increases overdose risk, violates autonomy, and harms marginalized communities.
November 26, 2025 at 11:28 PM
We Refuse: Health Workers Against Involuntary Care is now public.
@hrna.bsky.social and DSDP are circulating a joint statement opposing BC’s plan to expand involuntary drug treatment. This approach is ineffective, increases overdose risk, violates autonomy, and harms marginalized communities.
@hrna.bsky.social and DSDP are circulating a joint statement opposing BC’s plan to expand involuntary drug treatment. This approach is ineffective, increases overdose risk, violates autonomy, and harms marginalized communities.
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
North Cowichan began dismantling the Lewis Street encampment on Nov. 17 moving about 75 residents to new sites. The Cowichan Community Care Network says the move puts people at risk of violence and overdoses as the new sites are further away from the Warmland Shelter and overdose prevention site.
Advocates worry that moving Lewis Street encampment endangers residents who have nowhere else to go – The Discourse.
North Cowichan said it will service and provide ‘temporary’ sheltering sites, while Cowichan Valley sees a spike in overdoses.
thediscourse.ca
November 21, 2025 at 4:15 AM
North Cowichan began dismantling the Lewis Street encampment on Nov. 17 moving about 75 residents to new sites. The Cowichan Community Care Network says the move puts people at risk of violence and overdoses as the new sites are further away from the Warmland Shelter and overdose prevention site.
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
no one involved in this case disputes DULF has saved many lives. shutting down initiatives to prevent consumption of poisoned drugs leads to more preventable deaths. sad to see the law used as a cudgel to justify killing people through government inaction & indifference
Founders of Vancouver’s Drug User Liberation Front Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalinin have just been found guilty of drug trafficking.
Justice Murray rules CDSA exemption didn’t include procurement & distribution.
“There is no doubt all of DULF’s actions were for one purpose.”
@pressprogress.ca
Justice Murray rules CDSA exemption didn’t include procurement & distribution.
“There is no doubt all of DULF’s actions were for one purpose.”
@pressprogress.ca
November 8, 2025 at 12:53 AM
no one involved in this case disputes DULF has saved many lives. shutting down initiatives to prevent consumption of poisoned drugs leads to more preventable deaths. sad to see the law used as a cudgel to justify killing people through government inaction & indifference
BCGEU statement on continued police brutality against Indigenous people
www.bcgeu.ca
November 20, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
PLEASE SHARE: #Cowichan Overdose Advisory
There are options for safer use: Find information on supervised consumption sites, drug-checking services & more: ow.ly/FgyS50PLkLF
There are options for safer use: Find information on supervised consumption sites, drug-checking services & more: ow.ly/FgyS50PLkLF
November 19, 2025 at 6:32 PM
PLEASE SHARE: #Cowichan Overdose Advisory
There are options for safer use: Find information on supervised consumption sites, drug-checking services & more: ow.ly/FgyS50PLkLF
There are options for safer use: Find information on supervised consumption sites, drug-checking services & more: ow.ly/FgyS50PLkLF
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
And that’s it! Thanks so much to everyone for speaking. We will hear debate and decision on November 25.
November 20, 2025 at 1:03 AM
And that’s it! Thanks so much to everyone for speaking. We will hear debate and decision on November 25.
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
607: opposed. You should be too. People are dying and being displaced because of your policies. Harassed by police. Struggle to live is lack of infrastructure. No sage supply or health care. Nowhere to live. No compassion. Doesn’t matter size if budget: colonial violence. Defend DULF.
November 20, 2025 at 12:47 AM
607: opposed. You should be too. People are dying and being displaced because of your policies. Harassed by police. Struggle to live is lack of infrastructure. No sage supply or health care. Nowhere to live. No compassion. Doesn’t matter size if budget: colonial violence. Defend DULF.
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
You really have to read both of @kwardvancouver.bsky.social’s skeet’s to get how fucked up this is. I’ll just put the headlines side by side.
Displacement and evictions are forms of violence. They result in very observable harms including death and irreparable injury.
#bcpoli
Displacement and evictions are forms of violence. They result in very observable harms including death and irreparable injury.
#bcpoli
November 20, 2025 at 2:03 AM
You really have to read both of @kwardvancouver.bsky.social’s skeet’s to get how fucked up this is. I’ll just put the headlines side by side.
Displacement and evictions are forms of violence. They result in very observable harms including death and irreparable injury.
#bcpoli
Displacement and evictions are forms of violence. They result in very observable harms including death and irreparable injury.
#bcpoli
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
I think SKY is upset at Chinese speakers. Lenny waved her off. 323: duty to honour land we forcibly occupy. Shocked with this offering. Live on disability. Municipal programs kept me afloat. I watched my mom actually budget down to the letter. This is just a slogan. It’s not values it’s containment
November 19, 2025 at 11:22 PM
I think SKY is upset at Chinese speakers. Lenny waved her off. 323: duty to honour land we forcibly occupy. Shocked with this offering. Live on disability. Municipal programs kept me afloat. I watched my mom actually budget down to the letter. This is just a slogan. It’s not values it’s containment
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
Saving a life is more important than policing small amounts of drug use, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled last month.
@michellegamage.bsky.social reports. #canpoli #ToxicDrugCrisis
@michellegamage.bsky.social reports. #canpoli #ToxicDrugCrisis
The Supreme Court of Canada Wants You to Call 911 if Someone Is Overdosing | The Tyee
Police can’t arrest a person for drug possession if they call for help and stick around, a new ruling finds.
thetyee.ca
November 6, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Saving a life is more important than policing small amounts of drug use, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled last month.
@michellegamage.bsky.social reports. #canpoli #ToxicDrugCrisis
@michellegamage.bsky.social reports. #canpoli #ToxicDrugCrisis
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
5 municipal police officers in B.C. dismissed for misconduct last fiscal year: report
5 municipal police officers in B.C. dismissed for misconduct last fiscal year: report
A sergeant who engaged in a “pattern of predatory behaviour” towards his female colleagues was one of five municipal police officers dismissed for misconduct in B.C. during the last fiscal year, according to a provincial watchdog.
bit.ly
November 19, 2025 at 8:30 AM
5 municipal police officers in B.C. dismissed for misconduct last fiscal year: report
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
“The officer, like all of the others, resigned before the conclusion of the misconduct investigation.”
“Between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, the agency found 64 officers had committed 95 counts of misconduct and imposed penalties ranging from reprimands to dismissal.”
“Between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, the agency found 64 officers had committed 95 counts of misconduct and imposed penalties ranging from reprimands to dismissal.”
5 municipal police officers in B.C. dismissed for misconduct last fiscal year: report
5 municipal police officers in B.C. dismissed for misconduct last fiscal year: report
A sergeant who engaged in a “pattern of predatory behaviour” towards his female colleagues was one of five municipal police officers dismissed for misconduct in B.C. during the last fiscal year, according to a provincial watchdog.
bit.ly
November 19, 2025 at 9:06 AM
“The officer, like all of the others, resigned before the conclusion of the misconduct investigation.”
“Between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, the agency found 64 officers had committed 95 counts of misconduct and imposed penalties ranging from reprimands to dismissal.”
“Between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, the agency found 64 officers had committed 95 counts of misconduct and imposed penalties ranging from reprimands to dismissal.”
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
New SFU study shows confiscating personal belongings during government-led street sweeps in Vancouver inflicts immediate harm on people who are already struggling to meet their basic needs, validating long-standing community concerns.
Full story: www.sfu.ca/sfunews/stor...
Full story: www.sfu.ca/sfunews/stor...
Close link between street sweeps, overdose and systemic harm: SFU study
Confiscating personal belongings during government-led dismantling of tent cities in Vancouver inflicts immediate harm and further destabilizes people already struggling to meet their basic needs, acc...
www.sfu.ca
September 5, 2025 at 8:45 PM
New SFU study shows confiscating personal belongings during government-led street sweeps in Vancouver inflicts immediate harm on people who are already struggling to meet their basic needs, validating long-standing community concerns.
Full story: www.sfu.ca/sfunews/stor...
Full story: www.sfu.ca/sfunews/stor...
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
New SFU Study Reveals Strong Connection Between Street Sweeps, Overdose Rates, and Systemic Harm
In Vancouver, a recent study conducted by researchers at Simon Fraser University casts a critical spotlight on a pervasive yet under-examined public health issue afflicting the city’s most vulnerable…
In Vancouver, a recent study conducted by researchers at Simon Fraser University casts a critical spotlight on a pervasive yet under-examined public health issue afflicting the city’s most vulnerable…
New SFU Study Reveals Strong Connection Between Street Sweeps, Overdose Rates, and Systemic Harm
In Vancouver, a recent study conducted by researchers at Simon Fraser University casts a critical spotlight on a pervasive yet under-examined public health issue afflicting the city’s most vulnerable populations. The subject of the investigation is the municipal government-led practice often referred to as “street sweeps,” whereby local authorities dismantle tent encampments inhabited by unstably housed individuals, many of whom also contend with substance use.
scienmag.com
September 3, 2025 at 5:10 PM
New SFU Study Reveals Strong Connection Between Street Sweeps, Overdose Rates, and Systemic Harm
In Vancouver, a recent study conducted by researchers at Simon Fraser University casts a critical spotlight on a pervasive yet under-examined public health issue afflicting the city’s most vulnerable…
In Vancouver, a recent study conducted by researchers at Simon Fraser University casts a critical spotlight on a pervasive yet under-examined public health issue afflicting the city’s most vulnerable…
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
Decriminalization undone: Assessing the amendment to British Columbia's decriminalization of personal drug possession framework link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Decriminalization undone: Assessing the amendment to British Columbia’s decriminalization of personal drug possession framework - Canadian Journal of Public Health
The Province of British Columbia (BC) is in the midst of an ongoing public health emergency, declared in 2016 in response to significant levels of drug poisonings/overdoses stemming from the unregulat...
link.springer.com
March 14, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Decriminalization undone: Assessing the amendment to British Columbia's decriminalization of personal drug possession framework link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
ABC campaigned on bringing police into schools AFTER this had happened.
“a [VPD] member attended a high school to provide a presentation on policing, following which the member exchanged emails with a female student regarding a career in policing. After the student had graduated high school, the two became engaged in an intimate relationship”
opcc.bc.ca/wp-content/u...
opcc.bc.ca/wp-content/u...
November 19, 2025 at 4:19 AM
ABC campaigned on bringing police into schools AFTER this had happened.
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
The politicians demanded cops in schools. They fired the Victoria school board to make it happen.
Cops in schools dont make people safe #DefundVicPD
Cops in schools dont make people safe #DefundVicPD
“a [VPD] member attended a high school to provide a presentation on policing, following which the member exchanged emails with a female student regarding a career in policing. After the student had graduated high school, the two became engaged in an intimate relationship”
opcc.bc.ca/wp-content/u...
opcc.bc.ca/wp-content/u...
November 19, 2025 at 4:22 AM
The politicians demanded cops in schools. They fired the Victoria school board to make it happen.
Cops in schools dont make people safe #DefundVicPD
Cops in schools dont make people safe #DefundVicPD
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
“a [VPD] member attended a high school to provide a presentation on policing, following which the member exchanged emails with a female student regarding a career in policing. After the student had graduated high school, the two became engaged in an intimate relationship”
opcc.bc.ca/wp-content/u...
opcc.bc.ca/wp-content/u...
November 19, 2025 at 12:00 AM
“a [VPD] member attended a high school to provide a presentation on policing, following which the member exchanged emails with a female student regarding a career in policing. After the student had graduated high school, the two became engaged in an intimate relationship”
opcc.bc.ca/wp-content/u...
opcc.bc.ca/wp-content/u...
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
$497 million dollars to these guys next year, so they can continue to do whatever they want with impunity.
VPD ignoring FOI requests for chief's communications leading up to 2022 muni election referencing then-mayoral-candidate Ken Sim or stranger assaults, which became highly politicized during the campaign, @andrewweichel.bsky.social and @lisa-steacy.bsky.social report
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
Vancouver police ignore FOI requests for chief's communications
For nearly a year, the Vancouver Police Department has failed to fulfill two freedom of information requests seeking records from Chief Adam Palmer and other high-ranking officials – a situation trans...
www.ctvnews.ca
November 18, 2025 at 3:25 AM
$497 million dollars to these guys next year, so they can continue to do whatever they want with impunity.
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
perhaps some of that half a billion dollars they want next year could go towards responding to FOI requests
VPD ignoring FOI requests for chief's communications leading up to 2022 muni election referencing then-mayoral-candidate Ken Sim or stranger assaults, which became highly politicized during the campaign, @andrewweichel.bsky.social and @lisa-steacy.bsky.social report
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
Vancouver police ignore FOI requests for chief's communications
For nearly a year, the Vancouver Police Department has failed to fulfill two freedom of information requests seeking records from Chief Adam Palmer and other high-ranking officials – a situation trans...
www.ctvnews.ca
November 18, 2025 at 4:37 AM
perhaps some of that half a billion dollars they want next year could go towards responding to FOI requests
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
Great quote from Mike Larson:
“An FOI request is not really a request,” he added. “It’s a legal mechanism.”
“An FOI request is not really a request,” he added. “It’s a legal mechanism.”
VPD ignoring FOI requests for chief's communications leading up to 2022 muni election referencing then-mayoral-candidate Ken Sim or stranger assaults, which became highly politicized during the campaign, @andrewweichel.bsky.social and @lisa-steacy.bsky.social report
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
Vancouver police ignore FOI requests for chief's communications
For nearly a year, the Vancouver Police Department has failed to fulfill two freedom of information requests seeking records from Chief Adam Palmer and other high-ranking officials – a situation trans...
www.ctvnews.ca
November 18, 2025 at 5:22 AM
Great quote from Mike Larson:
“An FOI request is not really a request,” he added. “It’s a legal mechanism.”
“An FOI request is not really a request,” he added. “It’s a legal mechanism.”
Reposted by P.O.W.E.R.
VPD ignoring FOI requests for chief's communications leading up to 2022 muni election referencing then-mayoral-candidate Ken Sim or stranger assaults, which became highly politicized during the campaign, @andrewweichel.bsky.social and @lisa-steacy.bsky.social report
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
Vancouver police ignore FOI requests for chief's communications
For nearly a year, the Vancouver Police Department has failed to fulfill two freedom of information requests seeking records from Chief Adam Palmer and other high-ranking officials – a situation trans...
www.ctvnews.ca
November 18, 2025 at 2:49 AM
VPD ignoring FOI requests for chief's communications leading up to 2022 muni election referencing then-mayoral-candidate Ken Sim or stranger assaults, which became highly politicized during the campaign, @andrewweichel.bsky.social and @lisa-steacy.bsky.social report
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...