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Global News
05-08-2025
- Global News
VPD's Task Force Barrage will run beyond 6 months and residents say they feel safer
The VPD's 'Task Force Barrage,' a $5-million initiative to flood Vancouver's troubled Downtown Eastside with patrol officers and crack down on gangs and violent crime, will continue to operate past a tentative deadline of Aug. 13. 'We feel comfortable saying that it will surpass that timeline just because we've been very fiscally responsible with the funds,' the project's commanding officer Insp. Gary Hiar said at a July 24 news conference announcing more than $2 million in cash and drugs seized during a July 17 raid at 339 East Hastings St.. Police said they initially estimated the city's funding commitment would last approximately six months but with some fiscal prudence, they've been able to stretch that budget to sustain the primarily overtime operation through the next several weeks. When he announced the program in February, former Vancouver Police Chief Const. Adam Palmer said the geographically tiny Downtown Eastside was responsible for 30 per cent of the city's violent crime and 48 per cent of all shootings. Story continues below advertisement 3:54 VPD's Task Force Barrage seizes $2M in cash, drugs in Downtown Eastside bust In the first five months of Barrage, the VPD said it seized 1,145 weapons, made 740 warrant arrests and submitted 492 reports to Crown counsel for potential charges. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The Hastings Crossing Business Improvement Association said members have seen notable reductions in serious crime with additional officers present in the neighbourhood, and it looks forward to the task force's continuation. However, executive director Landon Hoyt said the local BIA will 'continue to push for stronger coordination with mental health and addictions teams, better communication with the community at large on policing strategies, and a move toward more relationship-oriented policing with consistent officers in the neighbourhood'. Downtown Eastside resident Ann Crosby said she's noticed more police officers on the streets since Feb. 13, and likes it because she feels safe. 'I was always nervous when there (weren't) cops around,' Crosby said in an interview Monday. Story continues below advertisement Ravinder Kumar, who works in downtown Vancouver, said he witnessed a recent stabbing near East Hastings and Carrall Streets. 'This is not a good street here,' Kumar said. 'All these cops here is good.' 1:50 Violent crime in DTES dropped in first months of Task Force Barrage, police say When asked if he would like to see Barrage continue and if a new funding request will be put forward, the Vancouver mayor's office said Ken Sim was not available for an interview. In a statement provided by his office, Sim said the task force is making 'tangible progress toward a safer community'. 'We need to build on these achievements, ensuring lasting safety and stability for residents and businesses in the Downtown Eastside and surrounding areas,' stated the mayor. When asked if the province would step up to keep Barrage going, B.C.'s Minister of State for Community Safety said it's his job to work with communities across the province to ensure that violent crime is down and build safer neighbourhoods. Story continues below advertisement Terry Yung added that all municipalities can apply for targeted enforcement funding. 'We've created SITE (Specialized Investigation and Targeted Enforcement) and C-STEP (Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement) programs to work with all municipalities to create new initiatives that are going to be effective,' Yung told Global News in an interview. 'As my understanding talking to residents of the Downtown Eastside, Task Force Barrage has been effective at addressing some of those issues.' Kumar and Crosby, who said she doesn't let her granddaughter come to the Downtown Eastside after her son was found dead in his room here, said they would like to see the increased police presence continue. 'I just don't feel comfortable since I lost my son, with the safety and issues and stuff like that,' Crosby said. The VPD said it is working on policing plans and long-term operational strategies to continue improving public safety in the Downtown Eastside, and should have more to say on this in the weeks ahead. The mayor's office confirmed it will be providing a joint update in September regarding next steps for Task Force Barrage.
Business News Wales
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business News Wales
M&S Champions Welsh Farmers and Food at the Royal Welsh Show
Marks & Spencer will return to the Royal Welsh Show this year, unveiling a refreshed exhibition stand and a programme designed to showcase food production across Wales. M&S will sponsor several key livestock classes, including Aberdeen Angus and the Supreme Pig Championship. The M&S stand—revamped for 2025 with a brand-new look and feel—will once again host a wide range of interactive activities. Young visitors will be encouraged to explore the stand and complete a series of hands-on games themed around M&S's supply chains and Select Farm produce. After completing every stop and collecting all the required stamps in their M&S Royal Welsh Passport, children will be rewarded with a special Colin the Caterpillar backpack—a new addition for 2025 following the hugely popular Percy Pig version last year. The M&S Demo Kitchen will also return, with chef Adam Palmer taking centre stage to cook up a range of regional and seasonal dishes using M&S's Welsh ingredients. Each day, Adam will be joined by special guests from M&S's family of local suppliers, who will share the stories behind their produce and hand out samples. The Farmers' Lounge will once again play host to the annual M&S Select Farm Awards, recognising outstanding achievements in agricultural excellence, innovation, and sustainability. Steve McLean, Head of Agriculture & Fisheries at M&S, said: 'The Royal Welsh Show is a brilliant opportunity for M&S to celebrate the people, produce, and passion for quality food that make Wales unique. Each year, we work closely with more than 2,500 Welsh farms and suppliers, and this event allows us to showcase the outstanding lamb, beef, and fresh produce that are at the heart of so many M&S products. 'We're looking forward to welcoming visitors to our stand, where they can meet some of our Welsh suppliers, try their fantastic products, and see how we're supporting local farming, sustainability, and innovation across Wales.'
CBC
23-05-2025
- CBC
Steve Rai named new Vancouver police chief after filling job in interim role
The Vancouver Police Board has appointed interim police chief Steve Rai to be the Vancouver Police Department's new chief constable. Rai has more than three decades of experience with the Vancouver Police Department, the city said in a statement, having worked through the ranks to lead major operations, including the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and the 2011 Stanley Cup riot. Mayor Ken Sim said Rai was chosen to be new police chief following a thorough selection process. "With Chief Rai at the helm, Vancouver is in strong hands as we work to build a safer, more connected, and more resilient city," Sim said. Rai had recently received a national profile fronting briefings about the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy that claimed 11 lives in Vancouver last month. The mayor called Rai — who was born in India's Punjab region, and grew up in Vancouver — "a powerful reflection of our city that's diverse, driven and rooted in service." His appointment as the department's 32nd chief constable comes after former chief Adam Palmer stepped down from the position he had held for 10 years.
Global News
11-05-2025
- Global News
Police incident closes Waterfront Station, stops SeaBus and Expo Line service
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook A police incident at Vancouver's Waterfront Station caused major transit disruptions on Sunday. TransLink said the station was shuttered around 10:40 a.m. due to the incident. There were also several related bus detours in the area. Metro Vancouver Transit Police said the shutdown was 'out of an abundance of caution' after a threat was reported to the station. Transit police deployed explosive detection dogs and Vancouver police deployed drones to assist the investigation. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Photos showed Cordova Street in front of the station blocked by police tape, while social media users reported a 'massive police presence' on site. 34:55 Outgoing Vancouver police chief Adam Palmer on safety in the city Transit Police urged people to avoid the area. Story continues below advertisement 'Transit Police is working hard with our partners to resolve the situation quickly and safely,' the agency said in a social media post. TransLink said Expo Line trains were terminating their route at Burrard Station and that SeaBus service had been suspended. It said bus bridges were being put in place. The Canada Line and Millennium Line were not affected.
Arabian Post
27-04-2025
- Arabian Post
Crowd Mowed Down At Vancouver Festival Leaves Several Dead
Several people were killed and many others injured after a car drove into a crowd attending a street festival in Vancouver on Saturday evening, according to authorities. Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene following distress calls reporting a vehicle travelling at high speed into a densely populated area. Police officials stated that the driver, a 29-year-old man, was taken into custody without incident shortly after the crash. No information has yet been released regarding any potential motive, but investigators confirmed that the incident is being treated as a criminal investigation rather than a traffic accident. Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer said that the case was still in the early stages of evidence gathering and that specialists from the Major Crime Section were leading the inquiry. Witnesses described scenes of panic and horror as the vehicle, a dark-coloured SUV, mounted the pavement and struck festival-goers. According to accounts from bystanders, some individuals were thrown several metres through the air upon impact. Several festival tents and stalls were destroyed in the aftermath, and personal belongings were scattered across the road. Medical teams were on the scene within minutes. Vancouver Coastal Health confirmed that hospitals across the city had activated mass casualty protocols. Dr. Sara Turner, Chief of Emergency Medicine at Vancouver General Hospital, stated that at least 14 people were brought in for treatment, with injuries ranging from fractures and internal bleeding to critical head trauma. She noted that several patients required emergency surgery overnight. The Vancouver International Street Festival, an annual event drawing thousands of attendees, had been underway for most of the day without incident. Organisers had coordinated with municipal authorities for road closures and pedestrian-only zones. Following the attack, the remainder of the festival was immediately cancelled, and authorities urged residents to stay clear of the downtown area while investigations continued. See also Bayo Ojulari Appointed as NNPC's New Group CEO Mayor Ken Sim addressed the city late on Saturday night, expressing condolences to the victims and their families. 'Vancouver is mourning tonight,' he said. 'We are a city known for its kindness and inclusivity. Acts of violence like this do not represent who we are.' He confirmed that flags at all municipal buildings would be lowered to half-mast in memory of those who lost their lives. Law enforcement officials confirmed that there is no ongoing threat to public safety. They reassured citizens that the driver acted alone and that there was no evidence at this stage suggesting ties to organised extremist groups. Chief Palmer said, 'While we are keeping all possibilities open, preliminary information suggests this was an isolated act.' The identity of the suspect has not yet been released, pending charges and formal identification processes. Police disclosed that the suspect has a known history of mental health issues and past minor offences but no record of violent crime. Officials have ordered a comprehensive psychological assessment as part of their ongoing probe. The area around Granville Street, where the festival was being held, remained cordoned off overnight as forensic teams conducted a detailed sweep. Investigators were seen marking tire tracks and collecting debris, while drone footage was utilised to document the broader layout of the scene. Specialists are also reviewing extensive CCTV footage from businesses along the route. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement expressing shock and sadness over the incident, noting that his thoughts were with everyone affected. He praised the swift response of first responders, saying, 'Their courage and professionalism undoubtedly prevented further loss of life.' See also Libyan Dinar Plunges Amid Mounting Fiscal Turmoil The Canadian Red Cross has set up an emergency contact centre to assist families searching for loved ones. Authorities have encouraged those who attended the festival and may have witnessed the crash to come forward, particularly anyone with mobile phone recordings that could assist the investigation. Psychologists have warned of the psychological toll such public tragedies can have, not only on direct victims but also on witnesses and the wider community. Dr. Kevin Moreau, a trauma specialist at the University of British Columbia, stressed the importance of providing mental health support, highlighting that mass casualty events often leave long-lasting emotional scars. Social media platforms have been flooded with messages of sympathy and solidarity, with residents sharing information about counselling services and blood donation centres. Public gatherings to honour the victims are being planned for Sunday evening, with a vigil scheduled to be held at Jack Poole Plaza. While Vancouver has generally been regarded as one of the safest cities in North America, this incident has reignited conversations about pedestrian safety measures during large-scale events. City officials indicated that an internal review would examine whether additional protective infrastructure, such as bollards or mobile barriers, could have mitigated the impact of such an attack.
