Five campers arrested for refusing to leave Oppenheimer Park
Vancouver Police made five arrests at Oppenheimer Park as city crews dismantled the last remaining tents.
Officers made their way into the park shortly after 10:00 a.m. this morning asking campers to abide by the BC Supreme Court order requiring them to pack up their belongings and allow city workers to clean up the park.
Everyone had been well informed by police and others that failing to comply with the court order may result in arrest. The vast majority of campers were cooperative allowing work to restore the park to continue.
A small number of campers who appeared intent on remaining in the park interfered with workers as they attempted to remove the last of the tents. Negotiations throughout the day continued with no progress. Officers were eventually required to step in to keep the peace and forced to arrest five people.
Three men and two women were taken to jail. Police will be considering recommending charges of obstruction and breach of a court injunction.
Police are considering charges for 5 people arrested this evening at Oppenheimer Park: http://t.co/IFKvL7zfIP pic.twitter.com/e7f3Vdekon
— CTV Vancouver (@CTVVancouver) October 17, 2014
4 arrested so far at #Oppenheimer by VPD pic.twitter.com/n3JGO0xyEV
— Renee Filippone (@rfilippone) October 17, 2014
Last remains @ #Vancouver #Oppenheimer tent city. Block is filled with VPD, Fire Dep, Special unit something http://t.co/sJCT9wyhik
— dani raath (@DaniAfrica) October 17, 2014
Oppenheimer Park tonight following five arrests. @GlobalBC @BC1 @AgnieszkaWyka @adrewaglobal @Aaron_GlobalBC pic.twitter.com/glhnFe5L6I
— Catherine Urquhart (@CUrquhartGlobal) October 17, 2014
Cleanup crews at Oppenheimer Park @News1130radio pic.twitter.com/3EWYf0VI84
— Renee Bernard (@Renee1130) October 17, 2014
A few structures left at Oppenheimer Park @news1130radio pic.twitter.com/6o1ugxGztt
— Renee Bernard (@Renee1130) October 17, 2014
Police gathering around one tent where campers refuse to leave, according to our photographer at Oppenheimer pic.twitter.com/Pyq2N61Vlc
— Matt Kieltyka (@MKieltyka) October 16, 2014
Source: VPD | Feature Image: Handcuffs via Shutterstock