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about the bench

It is gone now, but below is information about our dear imprisoned bench which inspired this project.







The (locally) famous Imprisoned Bench has been behind bars for many years.  It came to be behind a fence when Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) was implemented in the immediate area around the Surrey Central station and North Surrey Recreation Centre.  For reasons unknown, instead of being removed, it was fenced in.

It gained notoriety in 2007 when a mock trial was held, and the bench was brought up on charges of accessory to vagrancy and contributing to public delinquency.  This trial took place at a community festival and was presided over by the Honorable Penny Priddy. A documentary of this trial was put together by SFU students, if you have a copy of this video, please share it with us at Interbenchion if you could.

The bench and (often overlooked lamp) continue to languish in custody to this very day.

In tribute to this unique local oddity, and in recognition of the change that is coming to our community we are going to bring a little bit of fun and the unexpected to the bench.

It is time for a public space interbenchion.