A Prince Albert legal aid lawyer has concerns about the city's proposed back alley bylaw. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Back alley curfew

Local lawyer launches petition opposing curfew bylaw

Mar 5, 2020 | 4:30 PM

A Prince Albert legal aid lawyer is raising concerns about the city’s proposed back alley curfew.

The bylaw would ban people from being in the alleyways from midnight to 6 a.m. Exceptions are also being discussed.

The measure was proposed to help combat property crime in the city. The city sent out a survey to people whose homes back on to alleyways and is awaiting the results.

However, in her petition, Estelle Hjertaas said she is concerned city councillors have not considered how the proposed bylaw would “affect people of colour” and those with lower income levels.

“It’s great if I am a middle-class white person who drives to and from work, because I am not going to be affected by this bylaw,” she said.

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She added lower income people are also more likely to be negatively affected as many live in basement suites which are only accessible via back alleys.

Hjertaas has launched a petition on change.org to outline her concerns about the proposed bylaw. One She questions who would be defined as a ‘suspicious person’ under the bylaw which would permit police to stop and search a person found in the alleyway after hours. She described a recent case, where a client was approached because he looked suspicious.

“He’s in his yard unlocking his door and then the police enter his yard without permission, start asking him questions and then he had tools on hand, so they arrested him for possession of break and enter tools,” she said. “That’s the kind of thing that’s going to happen more and more.”

She added the case against the man was dropped by the Crown, but he still spent time in jail before charges were withdrawn.

Hjertaas as well has concerns about the bylaw leading to carding, the practice of collecting people’s information without any evidence they have been involved or have knowledge of illegal activity. In her petition she writes carding can be a first point of contact and can lead to further problems.

The Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) came out in tacit support of the curfew on city walkways. That is the city’s first step to the wider back alley ban. In a prepared statement council said members hope the bylaw will assist in making the community safer for all.

Hjertaas said she believes those who support the curfew bylaw have good intentions but are not fully aware of the issues it presents.

“They’re not the ones seeing the on the ground impact of these things every day,” she said.

Hjertaas hopes to speak to city council about her concerns. She is not sure if she will be able to change any minds on the issue, but says she’s already spoken with one councillor.

“We had a good conversation, so that’s positive,” she said.

—

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn