The CBC reporter talking about Edmonton police using “AI” facial recognition cameras gives “being late to pick up your daughter because you were stopped” as a negative outcome of the tech - not, you know, being injured or killed, a far more likely outcome.

"Increasingly, other interactions with [VPD] often result in people’s immigration status being checked with CBSA—even in traffic stops or encampment clearing." ..."If someone is pulled over in a work van or truck, and an officer sees they have tools, they will sometimes ask for the workers’ papers."

This International Workers’ Day, we're putting media back in workers’ hands. De Facto Journalism Co-op is a new non-profit of 6 worker-owners producing in-depth journalism focused on justice issues and systems of power. To get our first investigations next week, subscribe here: defactomedia.ca

"Council’s motion identified concerns [...] regarding misinformation and the potential misuse of AI-generated content." side note: why did the Vancouver Police Board even need to employ AI when generating this low-lift tweet. are the handful of brain cells over there on paid leave?

I can get a place for May but I need to raise $1100 in two days. every bit helps e-transfer: [email protected] I appreciate your help so much

Police continue to use their police cars to intentionally hit people.

We can't tell you what the AI is trained on, for reasons.

“There is a consensus that police investigating police can no longer be supported as providing a fair and unbiased investigation. That certainly proved to be the case here,” said Schachter, who resigned from the police board in 2022. www.timescolonist.com/local-news/p...

“CTV News asked the department for an interview and for clarification on how the money was spent, but was told they would not be able to meet our deadline.” not okay not good enough!

How mad is the NDP at SD61's court win? Try to pass a law to say "nuh-uh!" mad.

There’s a #yyj police board meeting tonight at 5:00 pm. Former board member Paul Schachter’s complaint re: VicPD’s “Project Juliet” and more is sort of on the agenda. Agenda: www.vicpd.ca/Police%20Boa... Stream: www.youtube.com/channel/UCKK... #vicpdboard 🧵

There’s a #yyj police board meeting tonight at 5:00 pm. Former board member Paul Schachter’s complaint re: VicPD’s “Project Juliet” and more is sort of on the agenda. Agenda: www.vicpd.ca/Police%20Boa... Stream: www.youtube.com/channel/UCKK... #vicpdboard 🧵

"Remember when council voted to hire 24 officers instead of 26? What if we did 26." Motion failed, with only Alto and Gardiner backing. I saw Manak isn't going to run for mayor. Good, but Alto has staked out the pro-police line anyway. There's room for a progressive candidate, hopefully!

"After CBC News filed an access to information request for emails regarding facial recognition with body-worn cameras, EPS inadvertently released on Feb. 2 an unredacted version of the records to CBC News. CBC News declined a request by EPS to immediately delete the records."

As part of its budget, VicPD casually mentioned they’d created their own AI system. Via FOI, we now know they’ve told officers they can use it to write documents, conduct research, and ask questions about VicPD policies and potentially the Criminal Code. needsmorespikes.com/blog/vicpd-ai #yyj 🧵

Why do Canadians have to fundraise for basic things like healthcare, education, transit, and culture, when policing and the military always see increased funding?

As part of its budget, VicPD casually mentioned they’d created their own AI system. Via FOI, we now know they’ve told officers they can use it to write documents, conduct research, and ask questions about VicPD policies and potentially the Criminal Code. needsmorespikes.com/blog/vicpd-ai #yyj 🧵

"We’re paying for the propaganda that’s defunding our essential city services. The least we can do is notice."

They could never run the Adrian Dix weather vane ad today, because wind is clean energy.

10 people died at St Paul's in under three years, but they've "got to see whether overdose prevention services will be needed at the new St. Paul’s." bsky.app/profile/kwar...

“I do think that they’re using human trafficking language as a guise for what this operation is—which is anti-sex work. … This news release has really made it clear that the intent of this counter human trafficking unit is to target sex workers.” Angela Wu, Executive Director, SWAN.

There was supposed to be a #yyj police board meeting today, but it's cancelled. For the future, their new website says the public has to get to VicPD HQ before 4:30 pm (used to be 4:50 pm) to attend a 5:00 pm meeting. An exciting new barrier to public access for the worst public meeting venue going!

Good FOI reporting on some terrible things.

Post from @defundvicpd.bsky.social on the International Day Against Police Brutality. "The police do not prevent or resolve violence, but rather they cause it. Many of VicPD’s responses to incidents include violence or the threat of violence." defundvicpd.org/2026/03/15/i... #yyj

People who know things about guns, what do you think this VicPD officer meant when he said he used the “Carbine barrel / ‘muzzle stamp’” of his rifle as an improvised weapon or weapon of opportunity? The photo is the type of rifle he used, although I can’t say whether it would have looked different.

“As B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner, I feel it is important to speak out about how this continually unfolding tragedy is a violation of human rights and the result of systemic discrimination.” bchumanrights.ca/resources/pu...

"After receiving intel from CRU about the UBC encampment, ... Saanich Police Deputy Robert Warren pre-emptively reached out to UVic security.... He said ... 'police know it’s important to act quickly on these situations before they become too entrenched.'"

Right now the city’s draft budget includes a 7.28% property tax increase: 🚔 5.06% of the increase = what VicPD is demanding, and what the city is prepared to give them 🏙️ 2.22% of the increase = everything else in the city budget #yyj #DefundVicPD

"At the time of his arrest in Nov. 2022, Martin was working as a special constable with [VicPD]." Article says he was also the person investigated for "discreditable conduct and deceit after he allegedly recorded and shared videos of prisoners engaging in sexual acts." www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...

This is exactly the type of thing council should be doing, taking away $200k that would have gone to the police budget increase and funding rent supplements. Great! But as of now, the draft budget would still give VicPD 24 new officers (4 forced by the province) and an $11M budget lift to $90M. #yyj

Re-upping this to encourage people to flip back and forth between the images, so you can see how much more VicPD is redacting compared to just one year before. They are withholding far, far more information than they used to, making it increasingly hard to subject them to scrutiny through FOI. #yyj

This is exactly the type of thing council should be doing, taking away $200k that would have gone to the police budget increase and funding rent supplements. Great! But as of now, the draft budget would still give VicPD 24 new officers (4 forced by the province) and an $11M budget lift to $90M. #yyj

Through a new FOI, we can see that at least one VicPD officer used a police car as a weapon in 2024. But VicPD won’t release any details. It’s part of an increasing trend of secrecy, led by VicPD, to limit public scrutiny of their actions. www.needsmorespikes.com/blog/vicpd-s... #yyj #cdnfoi 🧵

“It serves VicPD’s interests, not the public’s, to release text justifying their officers’ actions, while not releasing any text about what they did.” #DefundVicPD #yyj www.needsmorespikes.com/blog/vicpd-s...

Through a new FOI, we can see that at least one VicPD officer used a police car as a weapon in 2024. But VicPD won’t release any details. It’s part of an increasing trend of secrecy, led by VicPD, to limit public scrutiny of their actions. www.needsmorespikes.com/blog/vicpd-s... #yyj #cdnfoi 🧵

Folks, I hate to add to the stack, but... I need help Bailey, my pitbull-corgi, may have cancer. An emergency late-night visit just led to this horrible discovery. Bailey is my whole world and I failed to plan. I am sorry. Any help you can offer at this link is welcome. ko-fi.com/E1E168F96#ch...

There’s a #vicpdboard meeting at 5:00 pm. Will follow along. They didn’t post their agenda in advance (they’ve met that legal requirement 1/3 of the time). Things they may discuss: increasing their 2026 budget request; no charges for officer who shot and killed a man in 2021 without warning. #yyj 🧵

BC knew that just 0.3% of drugs seized in Vancouver by weight were hydromorphone. "Rather than publicize the evidence to correct loud claims of diversion flooding communities, the BC government opted to sit on the information and retreat from safe supply." @godfrey.bsky.social reports:

The Tyee asked the health ministry for an explanation as to why it was acceptable to withhold this data during a public health emergency that had killed thousands of British Columbians. It’s been four weeks and we still haven’t heard back. @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2026/02...

"Time and again, we see that if the police have access to the public's info, they misuse it." Yep. Good video below, and here's a thread with 50 documented cases of police in B.C. misusing their access to personal information. bsky.app/profile/step...

List of suspected Nazi war criminals welcomed in Canada should stay secret, information watchdog rules By Marie Woolf theglobeandmail.com/politics/art... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli

🚨Just two days left to provide feedback on the city’s draft financial plan. We’ve made it easy just check out our website for resources ⬇️ 🚨Or you can simply email council and say “Dont hire 25 more cops!” #yyj #DefundVicPD

If you live in #yyj you have until January 23rd to write in opposing this year's increase in the police budget.

There’s a #yyj police board meeting at 5:00 pm. Will follow along on this thread, if it streams (the board doesn't know). Agenda includes two items where VicPD will likely repeat recent talking points. Agenda: vicpd.ca/wp-content/u... Possible stream: www.youtube.com/channel/UCKK... #vicpdboard 🧵

Saw what looks like an AI-generated letter in Vic News from a resident talking up VicPD. They have a $760,000 PR budget, let them write their own stuff.

Good article here, hopefully Luamba's case succeeds. Police traffic enforcement is not neutral. Locally, VicPD's data suggests they target Black, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, and South Asian drivers. #yyj 1/2

My @thetyee.ca piece today, part of an ongoing series looking at persistent issues in B.C. public education.

This has been making the BlueSky rounds again, so I'll give it my own little boost.

VicPD talked on their podcast about how they may involve themselves in the 2026 municipal elections, just like they did last time. Police in politics in #yyj! I left in the lead-in from 2022 where they complained about Isitt comparing the library budget to theirs. open.spotify.com/episode/2xyy...

Visit our website for details on how to provide feedback on the updated 2026-2030 Draft Financial Plan. Comments must be submitted by January 23 at 11:59 pm! And share with your friends and family! #yyj #deFundVicPD defundvicpd.org/2026/01/08/v...