Homeless shelters reduced police calls

The seven temporary shelters that were opened for the homeless this past winter helped to reduce the number of police call outs, according to the Vancouver Police Department

Supt. Warren Lemcke says officers noticed a difference in street disorder and the department supports the continued operation of at least three shelters this summer.

"I can tell you we have seen a drop in calls...particularly in the evening, with regard to people with mental illness issues," said Lemcke.

"We attribute some of that to people being in shelters at night, having a warm place to stay. They are off the street, getting a bit of food and it makes all the difference," he said.

The shelters were opened as a temporary way to house the homeless during the cold winter weather.

But all seven could close at the end of April when their provincial funding runs out, putting up to 500 people back out on the streets.

The province has offered to keep some of the shelters open for the summer if the city of Vancouver pays half of the operating costs.

But the city has refused, saying it has donated the buildings and it is the province's responsibility to deal with homelessness.