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Crimes 'fuelled by liquor' in downtown core prompts Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­police reminder about open alcohol laws

The VPD reports a 607% increase in booze pour-outs since June 1
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The Granville Entertainment District in downtown Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­has been the site of a marked increase in alcohol pour-outs by police officers

You might be in the mood to party hard while hanging out in Vancouver's downtown core, but police have issued a stern reminder that "open alcohol in public places is prohibited."

One pressure point is the Granville Entertainment District, where VPD officers report a 607 per cent in liquor pour-outs since June 1, compared to the same period last year. That's an 84 per cent increase since 2019, adds the VPD.

“The Granville Mall is a place people are congregating and drinking. This in turn, is leading to more and more disturbances, assaults and other crimes occurring in the area that are fuelled by liquor," said VPD Const. Tania Visintin in a media release issued Aug. 13.

The uptick in pour-outs comes despite the fact that there has also been an increase in the number of designated spaces in Vancouver, including in and around downtown, where drinking is sanctioned. That includes numerous temporary and pop-up patios operated by private businesses, but also City of Vancouver-designated plazas and parks where drinking alcohol is permitted.

Adding to the lively atmosphere in the area is the recently-launched  that finds Granville between Smithe and Helmcken streets closed to vehicle traffic on weekends. It's a new pilot program gets underway to test out what it's like to make the city's "Entertainment District" a pedestrian-only zone during peak hours. The blocks are closed to vehicles from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and activations include public art and live entertainment, however, open alcohol is not permitted outside of licensed patio space.

Open alcohol allowed at select Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­parks and plazas

This spring, the City of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­approved a pilot program to allow alcohol consumption in a handful of plazas, ultimately doubling the original roster for a final . From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, drinking alcohol is permitted at the following plaza locations:

  • Cambie St and 17th Ave
  • 800 Robson St
  • Fraser St and 27th Ave
  • Granville St and 13th Ave
  • Granville St and 14th Ave
  • Maple St and 4th Ave 

The plazas will remain in operation until Oct. 11, 2021.

From July 12 to Oct. 11 this year, drinking alcohol will be permitted between the hours of 11 a.m. and 9 p.m., within designated sites at the following 22 Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­parks:

  • Collingwood Park
  • David Lam Park
  • Fraser River Park
  • Granville Park
  • Harbour Green Park
  • John Hendry (Trout Lake) Park
  • Kitsilano Beach Park / Hadden Park
  • Langara Park
  • Locarno Beach Park
  • Maple Grove Park
  • Memorial South Park
  • Memorial West Park
  • New Brighton Park
  • Pandora Park
  • Queen Elizabeth Park
  • Quilchena Park
  • Riverfront Park
  • Robson Park
  • Rupert Park
  • Stanley Park
  • Vanier Park
  • Volunteer Park

Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­joins a growing list of regional municipalities with ongoing programs allowing adults to consume alcohol in designated areas of public parks. 

We've compiled those locations as a map: Which Metro Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­parks and plazas can I drink in this summer?