鶹ýӳ

Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

鶹ýӳmayor promises more police to quell 'street disorder' in Gastown

VANCOUVER — 鶹ýӳMayor Ken Sim says the city is taking immediate steps to improve public safety in the Gastown neighbourhood.
01da9e721943aa6d5726cd8fd22a7c83d5a1388ca35f1d550be9ec14bbccfda3
鶹ýӳMayor Ken Sim waits to speak during a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. 鶹ýӳMayor Ken Sim says they are taking immediate steps to improve public safety in the Gastown neighbourhood. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

VANCOUVER — 鶹ýӳMayor Ken Sim says the city is taking immediate steps to improve public safety in the Gastown neighbourhood.

Sim says they’ll work with the 鶹ýӳPolice Department to establish a community policing centre in Gastown as residents and businesses there say they want increased visibility of officers.

A statement from Sim says more focused attention will be brought to the area using several police resources and tactics.

He says the approach will address street-entrenched offenders and help the business community with violent robberies associated with repeat shoplifters.

While Gastown is a draw for tourists, it also neighbours the Downtown Eastside, and Sim’s statement says they are confident the added police presence will bring immediate relief and a sense of security.

Sim says they have heard the residents of Gastown and surrounding communities “loud and clear” that they want action to address street disorder.

“These two steps are not a silver bullet and more will need to be done to bring back a sense of safety in your neighbourhood,” Sim said in the statement.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 24, 2024.

The Canadian Press