Downtown security force faces scrutiny

By Toby Gorman
the news bulletin

Jul 17 2007
Nanaimo’s new downtown security initiative could be trampling people’s individual rights by breaking up groups and “keeping them moving,” the B.C. Civil Liberties Association says.

Michael Vonn, of B.C. Civil Liberties, said her organization will look at local bylaws to see if the mandate of hired security is within the law.

Private security began rounds last week in Nanaimo’s downtown streets in an attempt to increase security for shoppers and tourists. The contract ends in September.

“Our concern has two fronts,” said Vonn. “One, is it within the municipality’s jurisdiction and two, is it constitutional? Security guards are private citizens and private citizens can’t tell other citizens what to do on public property if no laws are being broken.”

Vonn said there is also concern that business interests are being put before individual interests.

“Is it right that certain people, in this case the poor, can be asked to move along?” said Vonn. “Everybody has the right to occupy public spaces.”

Merv Unger, co-chairman of the Safer Downtown Working Group, said the security’s presence is there to protect all Nanaimo citizens, including the homeless and the poor.

Unger said security does not make demands on people in public places.

“Nobody is told what to do on the street,” said Unger, who has walked with security on patrol.

“They are only asked to move if they are on private property. If there is something illegal taking place then security calls the police and it becomes a police matter.”

Unger said he believes nobody’s rights are being infringed upon and that most of the feedback has been positive.

Vonn admits she is less familiar with Nanaimo’s downtown security than Vancouver’s, where there were accusations of whitewashing city streets by hired security during Project Civil City.

“We’re acting on a complaint where somebody has contacted us regarding Nanaimo,” said Vonn.

“So without getting our hands on more infrastructure, like bylaws, we can’t say at this point there is a problem but we will be looking into it.”

reporter2@nanaimobulletin.com