‘This is the Worst Ever’ — Merchants Want Action on Homeless

There are new calls for more to be done about aggressive homeless people in downtown Vernon.

Merchants like Vicki Eide of Dean’s Tailor Shop on 33rd Street, say it’s never been this bad in the 26 years she’s worked there.

“The people we have who cause the biggest problems downtown this year are not our usual homies. And I know that because I know them. There are really aggressive people. They’re aggressive, they’re bold. They present as career system players to me,” Eide tells Kiss FM.

Eide says their behaviour is causing merchants to lose customers, with some like herself, wondring if they will be able to make it through another summer like this one.

She will lead a group of business owners in presenting a petition to city council next week calling for stricter bylaws and more enforcement.

“The petition is basically because downtown, this year, 26 years for me, has been the worst ever for illegal activity.”

Eide circulated the petition to 100 businesses — and she will be picking them up Thursday and Friday.

She will be suggesting the city revamp its red zone which doesn’t allow transients in certain areas.

“This is the worst ever, and I’ve heard this from a lot of people,” says Eide. “Everyone is telling me a story, and it’s prostitutes and drugs, threats, aggressiveness, and out of control. I heard out of control at least 80 times last week.”