“Woodward’s Building” by Sgt Mark Toner (from “Out of the Blue”), October 27, 2002.

During the height of the Woodsquat action, the Vancouver Police Department struggled to carve out the police narrative in light of some bad press: violent arrests, costly police operations, the criminalization of the homeless. They tried to understand how an occupation was taking place at the Woodward’s building. Sgt Mark Toner argues that Woodward’s was a battle of the victims. Sgt Mark Toner argues that Woodsquat would slow down the construction of new housing. Sgt Mark Toner argues that we should get this show on the road.