By David P. Ball
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A dramatic Vancouver police raid at Strathcona Park Tent City last week led to a tense standoff between homeless camp residents with drums and shouting – but it turned out the police were to to arrest a murder suspect in a shocking seniors’ home invasion death.

The Tyee’s Downtown Eastside reporter Jen St Denis discusses the disturbing case and aftermath, as well as what it might say about homeless community trust in the police.

The man arrested in the Tent city raid once described himself as the “mayor” of the tent city’s predecessor at Oppenheimer Park.

Homeowner groups in Vancouver are jumping on the arrest this week as a sign of the tent city’s “dangerous” elements, but tent city organizers continue to press for social housing and services.

St Denis discusses the city and province’s housing promises for campers, and why a plan is taking so long as another cold snap arrives.

And she reveals her meeting with former VPD officer Dave Dickson and why he is outraged by some police behaviours in the DTES, where he continues to hold community respect and relationships.

He spoke out against police abuses as exemplified by incidents such as the alleged seizure of a homeless man’s wheelchair and walkers which the owner with a disability never got back.