Author Archives: Steve

…but instead…

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Steve

The following is a contribution by fellow Beat Enforcement Team member Tyler Urquhart, inspired by some of the people he’s met along Hastings Street. He says it’s “kind of a poem.” A Grandfather, Bouncing grandchildren on his knees. Burgers, ribs, the … Continue reading →

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Posted in Real Life Stories | 7 Comments

Happy to be proven wrong

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Steve

“Tap, Tap, Tap.” I jolted up, and nearly spilled a half cup of lukewarm Tim Horton’s double-double into my lap. They train you at the police academy to always be alert when you’re on the street. They call it keeping … Continue reading →

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Posted in Real Life Stories | 33 Comments

Hoping for a long (and peaceful) playoff run

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Steve

Tonight was the opening night of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which got me thinking about our beloved Canucks’ run from a year ago — and about the riot that followed the team’s Game 7 loss. I dusted off this picture … Continue reading →

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Posted in Uncategorized | 17 Comments

We made it to Madagascar…

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Steve

… and Namibia … and even Afghanistan. One of my greatest pleasures — almost as great as fighting crime and late-night blogging — is getting the month-end stats for Eastside Stories and finding out who’s been popping by. And as … Continue reading →

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Posted in Uncategorized | 32 Comments

Mixing messages

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Steve

Crack users on the Downtown Eastside are now being given crack-smoking kits, complete with lighters, pipes, filters and instructions on how to smoke crack. The boxes — they’re about the same size as a cigarette packages — are paid for … Continue reading →

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Posted in Seen and Heard | 48 Comments

The Perils of Searching

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Steve

Police work is dangerous business, but sometimes the most dangerous situations come not when we’re chasing bad guys, but after they’ve already been caught. And in the Downtown Eastside, where infectious diseases like HIV and HEP C are epidemic, police … Continue reading →

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Posted in Seen and Heard | 7 Comments

Main and Hastings

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Steve

A few dozen cop critics took over Main and Hastings during rush hour Thursday for an anti-police brutality rally.  This picture was taken from the roof of the Empress Hotel by Matt Shewchuk. Matt is part of a film crew … Continue reading →

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Posted in Seen and Heard | 41 Comments

Have badge, will run

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Steve

I like to run. Mainly I’m built for distance, but I can also move pretty quick if the adrenaline’s pumping. And though it’s been close at times, I’m proud to say that I’ve never lost a foot pursuit. But earlier … Continue reading →

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Posted in Real Life Stories | 15 Comments

Why I do this job

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Steve

Because I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie. Because two-day weekends suck. Because every now and then someone tells me I made a difference. Because I hate bullies. Because I hate cheaters. Because I hate liars. Because there’s a pensioner … Continue reading →

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Posted in Front Line Views | 32 Comments

It was a mess when I started and a mess when I left

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Steve

People sometimes ask me if what we’re doing in the Downtown Eastside makes a difference — if I’ve noticed any changes for the better since I’ve been down here. Truth is, it’s kind of hard to tell if things are … Continue reading →

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Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments