Pubdate: Sun, 15 May 2016
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Bob Mackin
Page: 3

420 SPARKS SPIKE IN COMPLAINTS

Report Reveals Pot Rally Riled Residents More Than Fireworks Show, 
Halloween and Pride Combined

Last month's 420 marijuana smoke-in at Sunset Beach sparked more 
complaints to Vancouver city hall than last year's Pride Parade, 
Celebration of Light finale and Halloween combined.

The Mayor and Council Feedback Report for April 20, obtained under 
Freedom of Information, shows 86 calls to the 311 hotline and emails 
to city council about loud music, clouds of pot smoke and traffic jams.

That compares to just a dozen complaints about a variety of issues on 
each of the two preceding days and 15 about trick or treaters' 
fireworks in the report for last Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. City hall 
spokesman Jag Sandhu said there were just two complaints received 
about the last night of the Celebration of Light fireworks festival - 
and none about the Pride Parade in 2015.

"It's not a pot protest," said one complainant, whose name, like the 
others, was withheld by the city for privacy reasons. "It's a party 
at a beautiful beach.

"I'm annoyed that because of this the Aquatic Centre and cafe had to 
be closed down and that the taxpayer is on the hook for this 'event.' 
You guys need to step up and say NO to Emery."

"If pot was legal and they got a permit, then fine," said another. "I 
know the city says they haven't sanctioned it but in actual fact they 
have sanctioned it by not doing anything."

A complaint taker recorded that a Vision Vancouver member "feels it's 
disgusting that he cannot take his daughter to a public beach today, 
because he sees illegal activity.

"He is tired of this, feels these people don't even live in 
Vancouver, they should be protesting where they live, in Surrey."

An area resident said that a dinner party for 10 was cancelled 
because guests refused to drive in the neighbourhood. A caller living 
next to Sunset Beach said she had asthma and was forced to leave her 
home: "She states that the mayor should have control over the city 
and not let unsanctioned events occur."

A 16th floor apartment dweller said the music was so loud that 
windows and pictures on the wall vibrated. Another could hear the 
music all the way from 13th and Fir.

One complainant was concerned for the safety of police officers who 
had to drive back to headquarters after hours of inhaling pot smoke.

What was originally an annual protest outside the Vancouver Art 
Gallery moved to Sunset Beach this year and took on the feel of a 
commercial festival. A splinter group went ahead with their own 420 
event outside the gallery.

City hall has not disclosed the final cost for policing and trash 
pickup. Vancouver police estimated 25,000 people were at Sunset Beach 
for the 4:20 p.m. mass-toke.

Organizer Jodie Emery said the volunteer-run event helped pay costs 
with $90,000 in donations and sponsorship. She said organizers met in 
advance with city, police, fire and ambulance officials.

"I'm sorry that people are upset, but the fireworks certainly caused 
a lot more trauma and smoke and noise and crowds and drinking and 
violence and police incidents than 420," Emery said. "It will 
continue to be at Sunset Beach because there is nowhere else in the 
city that can accommodate that crowd."

Asked for comment, Robertson's chief of staff Kevin Quinlan said: "I 
do not handle media requests."

Sarah Zaharia, a spokeswoman with the mayor's office, acknowledged 
that complaints had also been filed about 420 in previous years, due 
to "major disruptions for businesses and transit."

"As this year's event was held at Sunset Beach on Park Board land, 
questions about the precise nature of its impact that had should be 
directed to the Park Board," said Zaharia in a statement.

Tobin Postma, another city hall spokesman, said the city and park 
board will "continue to work with organizers to attempt to find an 
appropriate venue for any future 420 events."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom