Vancouver's police chief says pulling the plug on downtown liquor sales on Saturday and Sunday night was successful in cutting down on the amount of public drunkenness -- and the ensuing mayhem on city streets.
A government notice issued to half a dozen stores in the downtown core this weekend said the shutdown was for the sake of public safety.
Patrolling Granville Street Sunday night, Chief Jim Chu told CTV News said shutting down liquor sales at 7 p.m. on both nights took the wind out of drinker's sails.
"It was excellent because a lot of drunks showed up at liquor store hoping to restock and they weren't able to do that," he said.
"They were able to do that Friday and it was very, very problematic from a policing point of view."
Police say although fans packed the downtown core leading up to Sunday's afternoon game against the US Olympic team, they left in droves shortly after it was done.
Up to 150,000 Olympic reveler crammed Vancouver streets on Friday and Saturday nights.
Chu said alcohol consumption has been causing problems in pedestrian-only areas where many families are enjoying the Games.
"Our concern is less the people in the bars and restaurants. The people openly drinking in public is our concern."
Team Canada will face off against the German team Tuesday night.
