New signs killing city's park drinking bylaw buzz, Edmontonian says
Nearly two months after the launch of a city pilot project meant Edmontonians could legally enjoy an adult beverage in designated park sites, one Edmonton man is worried the move may have also created some unintended consequences.
On May 28, Ward 3 Coun. Jon Dziadyk celebrated the new city bylaw, that was created from his own motion, by taking a swig from a can of beer at Rundle Park.
"Cheers to summer, and a little bit of freedom," Dziadyk declared.
Now, thanks to the appearance of some new signs, that "freedom" seems to be in question.
“I think they feel a bit authoritarian," Sean Sedgwick told CTV News Edmonton while standing in Constable Ezio Faraone Park.
As part of the city's pilot project, large signs indicating that public alcohol consumption is not allowed have been setup in several Edmonton parks, including Ezio Faraone and Walterdale Hill.
"There's something about them that's sort of just unpleasant to be around, even if you don't happen to be here while having a drink," said Sedgwick. "They just seem kind of like you're being watched."
If you ask the city councillor who played a large role in creating the pilot, he would tend to agree.
"These larger signs indicating that parks are dry, to me, is a little bit of overkill because we know that parks are supposed to be dry," Dziadyk told CTV News Edmonton.
"I'd rather see enforcement done through bylaw officers approaching people that may be breaking the law."
'FOR THE AWARENESS OF PARK PATRONS'
In a written response to CTV News Edmonton, the city said the focus of the pilot has been on public education.
"As part of that education process we have deployed three signs to parks that are not part of the pilot for the awareness of park patrons," the statement read in part. "The signs will be rotated to new locations as required until the end of the pilot on October 11, 2021."
A spokesperson for the city told CTV News Edmonton there have been 692 warnings and 31 tickets issued for various infractions related to consumption of alcohol in city parks, from the start of the pilot to the end of June.
In Alberta, a person who is found consuming alcohol in public, or publicly intoxicated can be fined $120.
'THERE WAS ALMOST A STATE OF DECRIMINALIZATION'
According to Sedgwick, before the new law came into effect there was an unwritten one in Edmonton.
"There was almost a state of decriminalization when it came to drinking in parks," he said. "People would come out here and have a drink with a picnic and have a beer and there was mostly a blind eye turned to it, but now it seems like, because legalization occurred in some public parks, there's increased enforcement at other parks."
Dziadyk said while drinking in public parks has always happened, the benefit of the pilot is it can now be regulated.
"The beauty of the pilot project is that it allows an activity that's been occurring to be permitted under certain circumstances. That's better public policy because we channel this activity where we can enforce the rules and standards and expectations.
"The fact that people have always been drinking in parks isn't really a reason for them to continue drinking in parks. What the city has actually done is clarified the rules, allowed this activity, but segregated it so that people can enjoy other park spaces with their families."
While Sedgwick had high hopes for Dziadyk's public alcohol consumption bylaw in the beginning, needless to say, he now has reservations.
"I think it should be legal," he said. "I just don't think that anyone voting for legalized drinking in parks expected this.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.