The City of Vancouver is piloting a new Municipal Ticket Information system (MTI), and Mayor Sam Sullivan is applauding the project as an important mechanism for helping to achieve the objectives of the proposed Project Civil City initiative.
The new MTI system will enable City of Vancouver Bylaw Officers and Vancouver Police Officers to issue and serve tickets on the spot to the accused.
The one-year pilot project will be focusing on 13 key bylaw infractions related to jaywalking, noise, smoking, dog licensing, off-leash, business licensing, urinating/defecating/expectorating in a public place, and fighting in public. Bicycle infractions related to not wearing a helmet and riding on a sidewalk are also included.
MTI was first introduced through a motion by Councillor Peter Ladner. “It was clear to me that more efficient enforcement of our bylaws would make our streets cleaner and safer, especially for our more vulnerable citizens,” Councillor Ladner said.
On November 27, Mayor Sullivan and Councillor Kim Capri announced Project Civil City, an initiative that includes aggressive targets for reducing homelessness as well as tackling criminal and nuisance activities. The Mayor’s plan includes 10 immediate actions, including the recommendation that Council allocate at least $1 million from the proposed Olympic Legacy Fund in the 2007 Civic Budget to enhance the civic response to nuisance and annoyance complaints.
Project Civil City (https://samsullivan.ca/pdf/project-civil-city.pdf) will be debated by City Council on December 14.
“MTI is an example of how the City can be more innovative and efficient in addressing public disorder,” Mayor Sullivan said. “This provides our Police and Bylaw Officers with new tools to deal with problem behaviours and bylaw infractions, and it is an excellent opportunity to educate our citizens about the importance of respecting municipal regulations.”
The MTI process is intended to supplement the current system by streamlining the existing ticketing process for some offences. The current prosecution process requires that with all tickets, the City first prepare a charge document which is witnessed by a Justice of the Peace. A summons is then issued and personally served on the accused after which the accused is required to appear in court to either dispute the charge or to be ordered to comply with the charge.
With the new system, trials will only be required if the MTI is disputed within a 14 day period. If an MTI is not disputed and is deemed to be filled out correctly, the offender will be required to comply with the charge.
The objective of the program is to promote compliance with regulations while at the same time reducing costs associated with the serving process and witness time required from officers to attend court. It is expected that By-law Officers and Police Officers will be issuing an increasing number of tickets over the next few months in order to increase compliance and deal with disorder issues in a more effective way.
