Latest news with #GaryHiar
Global News
6 days ago
- 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.
Vancouver Sun
24-07-2025
- Vancouver Sun
More than $2 million of cash, illegal drugs seized from DTES crime ring
More than $2 million worth of cash and illegal drugs has been seized from a violent crime ring in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. In April, Vancouver investigators began looking into a group of drug dealers believed to be operating out of a building near East Hastings Street and Gore Avenue. On July 17, police searched a property at 339 East Hastings St. and said they seized more than 14 kilograms of illicit substances, a number of weapons, and cash. In total, there was $141,000 in Canadian and U.S. currency, 5.5 kilograms of cocaine, 5.3 kilograms of crystal meth, 3.2 kilograms of fentanyl, and 1,594 pills, totalling more than $2 million in value, police said. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'This neighbourhood continues to be the epicentre for serious crime, overdoses, and toxic drug deaths in our province — and that crisis is fuelled by predatory drug dealers, gang members, and other criminals who profit off those whose life circumstances have brought them to the neighbourhood,' said Insp. Gary Hiar in a statement. 'This is just a temporary disruption in the Downtown Eastside drug trade, and other criminal organizations are already moving in to fill the void created by this major drug seizure. That means our work is not done.' A total of 19 have been arrested. All have been released pending the outcome of the investigation though police say charges are expected. Task Force Barrage was launched in February to tackle crime in the downtown area, through an increase of patrol officers and targeted enforcement. To date, the VPD has seized 1,145 weapons, recovered 127 real and imitation guns, submitted 492 reports to prosecutors, and made 740 arrests in the Downtown Eastside. sip@
Global News
22-05-2025
- Global News
Violence, street crime down in Vancouver's DTES due to task force, police say
Vancouver police say violence and street crime have dropped in the Downtown Eastside since the launch of a dedicated police task force. Task Force Barrage was launched three months ago to target criminals and criminal activity in the Downtown Eastside. 'While we're making life harder for violent offenders and organized criminals, we're also working with the community to improve safety and build relationships,' Insp. Gary Hiar, commanding officer of Task Force Barrage, said in a statement. 'This work will require a sustained effort and there's still a long road ahead.' According to the Vancouver police, since the launch of the task force, officers have seized 745 weapons including 79 guns (14 real/65 replica); made 414 warrant arrests (five a day) and made 258 reports to Crown counsel for charges. Story continues below advertisement Teams have been deployed to Gastown, Chinatown and Hastings Street, police said, and officers also conducted co-ordinated investigations to target violent offenders and organized criminals, working with staff from housing providers and helping the City of Vancouver address street disorder and sanitation issues. 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 The Vancouver police provided data about each neighbourhood, saying the numbers show violence and most property crime is trending lower in four neighbourhoods compared with 2024. Violent crime Downtown Eastside: down 13 per cent Gastown: down 13 per cent Chinatown: down 26 per cent Strathcona: down 14 per cent Serious assaults Downtown Eastside: down 13 per cent Gastown: down 17 per cent Chinatown: down 17 per cent Strathcona: down 20 per cent Robberies Downtown Eastside: down 35 per cent Gastown: no change Chinatown: down 57 per cent Strathcona: down nine per cent Commercial break and enters Downtown Eastside: down 42 per cent Gastown: down 47 per cent Chinatown: down 86 per cent Strathcona: down 67 per cent Residential break and enters Downtown Eastside: down 38 per cent Gastown: no change Chinatown: down 25 per cent Strathcona: up 43 per cent (increase from seven to 10) The Vancouver Police Department defines Strathcona as Waterfront Road (north) to Prior Street (south) and from Main Street (west) to Jackson Avenue (east).
