Vancouver gets tough with bylaw offenders
Last Updated: Wednesday, December 13, 2006 | 10:36 AM PT
CBC News
The City of Vancouver is about to fast-track bylaw ticketing to make it more difficult for offenders to avoid paying fines.
A pilot project that begins next month will streamline the process and give the bylaws some teeth, city officials say.
Jaywalking is an offence covered by the new city bylaw ticketing system.
(CBC)
Currently, someone caught jaywalking, riding a bicycle without a helmet, spitting or urinating in public is ticketed. If the person doesn't pay the fine, the city then has to decide whether to pursue the case. If it does, a summons is served to start a lengthy legal process.
Under the new system, anyone getting a ticket would be required to dispute it within two weeks, or a conviction is registered, meaning payment is mandatory.
Officials say bylaw officers will no longer waste time in court, giving them more time to write more tickets.
"We anticipate more people initially will be ticketed," said Paul Teichroeb, the city's chief licensing officer. "And certainly if the process is more streamlined and reduces some of the time currently spent, it will allow our enforcement resources to be out in the field."
Fines for most of the 13 bylaw offences in the new ticketing system range from $50 to $250.
Tuesday's announcement comes just weeks after Mayor Sam Sullivan introduced Project Civil City, which targets crime, homelessness and aggressive panhandling.
Sullivan says the new ticketing system shows how the city "can be more innovative and efficient in addressing public disorder."
The system is slated to be debated by city council on Thursday.
