VPD increasing patrols in Yaletown to address safety concerns

If you’re in Yaletown, you’ll likely notice more police officers patrolling the area. That’s because the department says it’s received a spike safety complaints and will be increasing its presence in response.

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Vancouver police are increasing patrols in Yaletown after residents expressed concerns about not feeling safe.

The citizen complaints are related to new temporary supportive housing in the area, according to the city police department.

“Over the past several weeks, the VPD has received a significant number of messages and emails from residents in Yaletown, and the surrounding area, voicing concern about feeling unsafe in the neighbourhood,” says Cont. Tania Visintin says in a release.

“To address these concerns, the VPD is implementing several proactive measures to increase safety for all residents.”

Among those measures, the department will deploy more police officers on bicycles in the area.

“These officers will have more flexibility to patrol laneways and parking lots and be more accessible to all residents.”

Police will also increase regular patrols in the area, as well as liaise regularly with staff at new social housing shelters nearby to ensure staff and residents are connected with the public safety resources.

READ ALSO: 52 new supportive housing units open in Strathcona

Officers will also continue working with mental health outreach teams.

“We want to ensure all residents downtown feel safe,” Visintin says. “This requires the proper support from public safety officials, local government and the provincial government.”

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