Veterans Affairs committee Yes. Most of the shelters themselves will also have bedding and sleeping bags, but certainly people are allowed. Their property comes with them.
November 29th, 2018Committee meeting
Cst Alyson Smith
Veterans Affairs committee I don't know in terms of veterans. In terms of our homeless population, I don't have the numbers, but certainly a higher proportion are indigenous.
November 29th, 2018Committee meeting
Cst Alyson Smith
Veterans Affairs committee Again, just a general number was collected. It just said “other countries”, so I don't know, unfortunately.
November 29th, 2018Committee meeting
Cst Alyson Smith
Veterans Affairs committee It could be. I think that, our housing crisis here in Vancouver is certainly contributing to our homeless population, but I also think it's kind of “if you build it, they will come”. We have the services, so certainly people are coming to access those services. Yes, I would assum
November 29th, 2018Committee meeting
Cst Alyson Smith
Veterans Affairs committee No funding's specifically given to me. My position falls under a larger umbrella, which Inspector Yee oversees. Certainly there's funding that goes towards that, but not a lot. For my position, it's just my role within the police department. I fill a box under the “homeless outre
November 29th, 2018Committee meeting
Cst Alyson Smith
Veterans Affairs committee Often these organizations come to us. In two weeks' time we have a big sleeping bag drive. There's an organization centred in the Downtown Eastside that's able to obtain hundreds of sleeping bags. We, as a department, happen to be lucky enough to receive a large chunk of those. I
November 29th, 2018Committee meeting
Cst Alyson Smith
Veterans Affairs committee I'm not sure, specifically. Many of our shelters do accept pets, not just service dogs.
November 29th, 2018Committee meeting
Cst Alyson Smith
Veterans Affairs committee Officially, I work a 10-hour day.
November 29th, 2018Committee meeting
Cst Alyson Smith
Veterans Affairs committee I'm only four days a week.
November 29th, 2018Committee meeting
Cst Alyson Smith
Veterans Affairs committee I haven't encountered anyone who specifically identified as a veteran, but certainly on a daily basis there are certain people who don't want our help, don't want services from anyone. They're happy living the way they are, whether it is because of their mental health or other is
November 29th, 2018Committee meeting
Cst Alyson Smith
Veterans Affairs committee I'm not familiar with any, no.
November 29th, 2018Committee meeting
Cst Alyson Smith
Veterans Affairs committee Not that I'm aware of. Our Vancouver Coastal Health services might be keeping track of it. There's often a challenge in information sharing between our organizations.
November 29th, 2018Committee meeting
Cst Alyson Smith
Veterans Affairs committee I'm not actually specifically aware of that, but having attended the round table, I do feel there is an emphasis now on veterans and those who have served. I can certainly see that it is a focus.
November 29th, 2018Committee meeting
Cst Alyson Smith
Veterans Affairs committee Absolutely.
November 29th, 2018Committee meeting
Cst Alyson Smith
Veterans Affairs committee I think it can be. I think it could also be something that they might identify with, though, probably having worn a uniform themselves. I try to really be approachable. It is just a uniform; it doesn't define me. I do really try to make sure that it's something I'm presenting to
November 29th, 2018Committee meeting
Cst Alyson Smith