Large police presence expected as Halloween crowds descend on downtown Vancouver
Vancouver police say party-goers can expect to see a lot of officers in the downtown core in anticipation of thousands of costumed revellers celebrating Halloween.
"There's extra calls. There's more disturbances in the street. There's more calls for service,” said Sgt. Steve Addison. “In the entertainment districts we do tend to see more disorder, more alcohol-fueled fights."
Addison said the Gang Enforcement Unit will also be out – and he asked that people use common sense when it comes to costume props that look like real weapons such as knives and guns.
"It's going to be alarming to people. It's going to cause concern. And it could cause someone to phone police believing that you've got a real weapon,” he said.
The bar industry is looking forward to the anticipated large crowds as the Saturday before Halloween is generally one of the busiest nights of the year.
"So, for folks in the hospitality industry, today is like Christmas, right?” said Jeff Guignard of the Alliance of Beverage Licensees. “It's one of our biggest, most exciting days of the year. We're still experiencing a lot of pent-up demand from the pandemic so we expect a lot of people out tonight."
In the time since pandemic restrictions were completely lifted in B.C., the bounce back for some bars and restaurants has been slower than others, leaving many businesses struggling to stay afloat.
"Fully half of B.C.'s hospitality industry is not making money right now. We're barely breaking even or losing money,” said Guignard. “So, an evening like tonight puts some cash in our coffers so we can keep going for the next couple of months."
Despite the unpredictable crowds, Guignard expects most people who head out to celebrate will have a safe night.
"We think it's going to be a really fun night,” he said. “And as I say, it could not come at a better time for our industry."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6947086.1719783953!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Are you proud to be Canadian? Poll suggests that feeling is dwindling
A new poll suggests the vast majority of Canadians are proud of their home and native land, but our sense of national pride is lower than it was a few years ago.
More WestJet flight cancellations as strike hits tens of thousands of travellers
WesJet flight cancellations grew to over 800 Sunday afternoon, upending plans for close to 100,000 passengers as an unexpected strike by plane mechanics entered its third day on the busiest travel weekend of the season.
Neighbour on the hook for $3,675 in damages due to ‘nuisance cedar’: B.C. tribunal
A B.C. man who reneged on a deal to split the cost of removing a tree with his next-door neighbour is now on the hook for the whole amount, B.C.’s civil resolution has ruled.
Multiple people injured in RV police chase in Lloydminster: RCMP
Several people were injured Saturday night after a man allegedly stole an occupied RV during a police chase at a campground in Lloydminster.
A study identified 6 types of depression. Here’s why that matters
Scientists may be a step closer to that reality, thanks to new research that has identified six subtypes — or 'biotypes' — of major depression via brain imaging combined with machine learning.
B.C.'s Michael J. Fox joins Coldplay on stage at Glastonbury Festival
A crowd of around 100,000 people were treated to a surprise appearance from a B.C. star during Coldplay’s set at Glastonbury Festival in England this weekend.
Nude beach etiquette: Lose your clothes, not your manners
Most of us have felt the freedom and delight that comes with stripping down to a swimsuit on a sunny day and wading into a cool sea, the horizon twinkling in the distance.
Canada Day is forecast to be rainy for many this year. Here's a look at weather and fireworks celebrations
Canada turns 157 years old this year, and several fireworks shows across the country are expected to paint the night skies in celebration. Here's a look at the forecast and fireworks celebrations across the country for Canada Day in 2024.
Police seek suspect, probe suspected hate crimes after two Toronto synagogues vandalized
Toronto police say they're investigating a pair of suspected hate-motivated offences after two city synagogues were damaged early Sunday morning.