Vancouver Tim Hortons removes tables and chairs from dining area

It’s standing room only in much of the busy Tim Hortons on Keefer Street in Vancouver after the coffee shop recently removed tables and chairs.

“I wasn’t really surprised,” customer Sasha Van Beek told Global News Tuesday. “Sometimes if the homeless people are there they won’t get customers so they probably took them out just to try to get customers again.”

“It’s just another way to keep people out you know, and keep them moving,” added customer Raven Stephenson.

Elsewhere in the city, businesses are implementing drastic anti-crime measures. Global's Kristen Robinson reports.

#GlobalNews #vancouver #crime

[Subie-Driver]

It’s a restaurant/fast food joint…not a homeless shelter. I don’t blame them for doing that.

[WilliamrikerNCC]

Instead of having laws and rules actually enforced, it’s taking businesses closing, relocating, or discouraging in-store dining to get away from all the tolerated drug abuse

[norrislaitinen]

Poverty isnt robbing people and taking a dump on their door step. Poverty isnt stabbing others for drugs. Thats junky behavior. No F's left to give.

[momofschnauzers]

As a customer, there is NO way I would enter any business when its a known fact that drug use occurs right in the open, within the establishment.

[kabal]

It's not a homeless shelter, it's for paying customers

[brenthoward]

Poverty also does not make you urinate on the floor and plug the toilets

[eddieraffs]

Stores are not in business to keep non customers warm and comfortable.

[jacobstanos]

Tim Hortons is not obligated to answer to anyone in this case. It is not the businesses’ responsibility to accommodate the homeless.

[mariposa]

At 0:35 its not "poverty" abusing the restaurant, its the people.

[nathanbyers]

Locking Drink coolers in convenient stores is proving we're screwed as a society that we can't trust anyone these days 🤦🤦

[jillclarke]

Being homeless does not give you any right to expect them to lose business while you hang out. It's not a warming center

[dkim]

poverty does not give you the right to steal/theft.

[andg]

0:20 it's not TH's responsibility to provide homeless shelter.

[beet]

TimHortons had no option but to take such action. Locations have become homeless shelters day & night in many cities, including Toronto. Homelessness needs to be addressed.

[amaples]

They serve coffee to paying customers. They have no obligation to shelter the homeless.

[inthewilderness]

There’s something wrong with society when you gotta resort to this!

[j.macmillan]

It’s a shame, but I support the businesses’ decision. Incidentally, Starbucks in Toronto is becoming takeout only. I certainly would not want to work in any fast food place or coffee shop, especially at night.

[LuckyIrish]

The government will do literally anything but deal with the actual problem, so expect more of this.

[dragonchii]

I feel that ever since the Feds stopped funding mental health institutions like Riverview, public disturbances have gotten worse.

[jefftaylor]

No turning back now. Vancouver of the 70's, 80's, and 90's is forever gone and never coming back.