While the Occupy Regina protesters were stationed 24/7 in Victoria Park, I felt safe going there. Many people I know do not feel safe in Downtown Regina at night, and one of the big reasons is that it lacks a critical mass of people who are happy to leave you to go about your business. Now, the City of Regina is actively shooing people out of Victoria Park at night, while the Regina Business Improvement District attempts to attract more people into Downtown. The left hand does not know what the right hand is doing.
Without the security of having Occupiers watching over Victoria Park, chasing the drug users away and keeping the peace, the City has decided to hire private security to watch over the park, and presumably keep Occupiers out. This is my speculation, based on comments I’ve seen on Facebook, and personal observation. If anyone has more information about this, please leave a comment, or contact the City for clarification.
IF the City has hired G5 security with public money, to do police work and guard a public park prior to its “closing” time too, so that peaceful protesters cannot return to protest during “allowed” hours (overlooking the Charter sets no time limit on freedoms), I’d suggest this is a gross misuse of public funds and should be stopped immediately. How did G5 end up parking there? Why are they Occupying Scarth Street? Their purpose and demands are not very clear.
Oh, and the security is parked illegally too, from the U-turn signage and bags on the meters.
ADDED:
If the City has not hired G5S, who has that much money to waste? A business? A 1%er?
Saskboy's Abandoned Stuff 