Vancouver police get additional $5M for Downtown Eastside crime and drugs task force
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A new Vancouver police task force that promises to "dismantle organized crime networks and target predatory criminals in the Downtown Eastside" will cost city taxpayers an additional $5 million per year on top of the VPD's $453 million budget for 2025.
"Task Force Barrage" is aimed at making the city safer, according to VPD Chief Adam Palmer and Mayor Ken Sim, who unveiled the initiative at a joint news conference on Thursday.
"If you talk to [DTES] residents, if you talk to business owners, if you talk to tourists or tour operators, by not making this investment, it is costing us multiple multiples more," said Sim. "And so this is something we want to do."
British Columbia to recriminalize use of drugs in public spaces
Palmer could not say how many new officers would be deployed but said Task Force Barrage would bring "surge capacity" that will "get results" using officers from other sections like organized crime, in addition to the normal contingent of 60 officers already working in the neighbourhood.
"What we're doing now that's different is there's going to be more of an effort put into the longer-term investigations," said Palmer. "There's going to be higher beat visibility and presence down there in the Downtown Eastside."
Palmer said an outsized portion of Vancouver's violent crime — 30 per cent — happens in the DTES despite it representing just two per cent of the city's geographical area and three per cent of the population.
He said with the rollback of drug decriminalization, police have regained tools to take action against drug traffickers.
Task Force Barrage will also integrate with Vancouver Fire Rescue and city bylaw, sanitation and engineering teams "to clear sidewalks and provide community safety for residents, workers and visitors," according to Sim.
Watch | Announcement of Tack Force Barrage
2 hours ago
Duration 39:00
Palmer said there is no defined end date for Task Force Barrage.
"We're going to keep on it strong. We're going after these folks that are victimizing people in our community. We're really confident that the police-criminal side of it, combined with the greater response teams which will deal with liquor disorder, encampment-type issues, it's a great combination," he said.
Vancouver city council still has to approve the $5 million for Task Force Barrage, which is certain to happen with the Sim-led ABC super majority on council.
The senior officer overseeing policing in the DTES said Task Force Barrage will help residents reclaim their streets and reduce the number of weapons and criminals coming into the area.
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CTV News
8 hours ago
- CTV News
Vancouver police report back on allegation of arrest quotas on Downtown Eastside
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The Province
10 hours ago
- The Province
Police investigating themselves 'insufficient': VPD refutes complaint about DTES arrest quotas
An internal investigation found no evidence of arrest quotas in Task Force Barrage, but critics argue performance goals may still push officers to target vulnerable people in the Downtown Eastside. File photo of police in the Downtown Eastside. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG A new Vancouver police board report rebuts claims there are arrest quotas in the Downtown Eastside, noting officers on Task Force Barrage are guided only by performance measures, not enforced targets, after a whistleblower sparked a month-long investigation. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The complaint, filed anonymously with the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner on March 8, alleged that officers were being pushed to meet daily arrest quotas as part of the controversial drug enforcement initiative in the Downtown Eastside. A key piece of evidence cited by the whistleblower was an email from a staff sergeant on the Vancouver police beat enforcement team sent to sergeants and acting sergeants. The email, which outlined operational strategies for covert drug enforcement, stated: 'Ideally, we'd like 2-3 drug arrests and charges a day.' 'I write as a VPD officer who is disgusted by the politically motivated crackdown that has been launched by the VPD. It is sad that I can't raise my concerns inside of the VPD,' reads the complaint. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Launched in mid-February, Task Force Barrage is a Vancouver Police Department program aimed at reducing violent crime in the Downtown Eastside. Backed by $5 million from city hall, the project has increased police presence in the neighbourhood by deploying extra officers and using overtime shifts to patrol the area more intensively. Two Vancouver police officers on foot patrol in the Downtown Eastside on Thursday. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG At a Vancouver police board meeting Thursday, Assistant Supt. Matthew Harty, who conducted an internal investigation into the complaint, described the task force's performance measures as being more like 'aspirational goals.' 'VPD does set performance measures, and there's a distinct difference between the two,' said Harty. 'Quotas are rigid and have formal or informal employer rewards and punishments attached, potentially leading to significant ethical issues and possible police deviance.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. However, not everyone is convinced by the VPD's explanation. 'Performance measures and quotas are essentially the same thing in policing,' said Kash Heed, a former Vancouver police superintendent and a former B.C. solicitor general and a current City of Richmond councillor. Last month, Vancouver police released statistics suggesting Task Force Barrage has successfully reduced violence and property crime in targeted neighbourhoods during its first three months compared to the same period in 2024. Heed acknowledged these gains but emphasized the need for a wider focus on performance measures. He said a stronger focus on reducing violence related to drug trafficking and gang activity, particularly violence impacting vulnerable residents, is critical to meeting the task force's stated goals. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'They can't solve the problems in the Downtown Eastside by making arrests alone.' In a letter to the police board dated June 3, University of B.C. law professor Benjamin Perrin called the quota allegations 'serious' and warned they raise red flags about policing in one of Canada's most vulnerable communities. Perrin pointed to the potential harm against Indigenous residents, who make up more than 30 per cent of the Downtown Eastside population, arguing that quota-driven policing risks deepening systemic discrimination already entrenched in Canada's justice system. 'Simply put, the police investigating themselves is insufficient,' wrote Perrin, who is urging the board to launch an independent and transparent inquiry into Task Force Barrage. Such a review, Perrin said, must include whistleblower-protected testimony, input from Indigenous leaders and a broader look at how the operation is affecting public access to services and overall community well-being. sgrochowski@ Read More Vancouver Canucks News Vancouver Canucks News Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Sun
15 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
Police investigating themselves 'insufficient': VPD refutes complaint about DTES arrest quotas
A new Vancouver police board report rebuts claims there are arrest quotas in the Downtown Eastside, noting officers on Task Force Barrage are guided only by performance measures, not enforced targets, after a whistleblower sparked a month-long investigation. The complaint, filed anonymously with the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner on March 8, alleged that officers were being pushed to meet daily arrest quotas as part of the controversial drug enforcement initiative in the Downtown Eastside. A key piece of evidence cited by the whistleblower was an email from a staff sergeant on the Vancouver police beat enforcement team sent to sergeants and acting sergeants. The email, which outlined operational strategies for covert drug enforcement, stated: 'Ideally, we'd like 2-3 drug arrests and charges a day.' 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. 'I write as a VPD officer who is disgusted by the politically motivated crackdown that has been launched by the VPD. It is sad that I can't raise my concerns inside of the VPD,' reads the complaint. Launched in mid-February, Task Force Barrage is a Vancouver Police Department program aimed at reducing violent crime in the Downtown Eastside. Backed by $5 million from city hall, the project has increased police presence in the neighbourhood by deploying extra officers and using overtime shifts to patrol the area more intensively. At a Vancouver police board meeting Thursday, Assistant Supt. Matthew Harty, who conducted an internal investigation into the complaint, described the task force's performance measures as being more like 'aspirational goals.' 'VPD does set performance measures, and there's a distinct difference between the two,' said Harty. 'Quotas are rigid and have formal or informal employer rewards and punishments attached, potentially leading to significant ethical issues and possible police deviance.' However, not everyone is convinced by the VPD's explanation. 'Performance measures and quotas are essentially the same thing in policing,' said Kash Heed, a former Vancouver police superintendent and a former B.C. solicitor general and a current City of Richmond councillor. Last month, Vancouver police released statistics suggesting Task Force Barrage has successfully reduced violence and property crime in targeted neighbourhoods during its first three months compared to the same period in 2024. Heed acknowledged these gains but emphasized the need for a wider focus on performance measures. He said a stronger focus on reducing violence related to drug trafficking and gang activity, particularly violence impacting vulnerable residents, is critical to meeting the task force's stated goals. 'They can't solve the problems in the Downtown Eastside by making arrests alone.' In a letter to the police board dated June 3, University of B.C. law professor Benjamin Perrin called the quota allegations 'serious' and warned they raise red flags about policing in one of Canada's most vulnerable communities. Perrin pointed to the potential harm against Indigenous residents, who make up more than 30 per cent of the Downtown Eastside population, arguing that quota-driven policing risks deepening systemic discrimination already entrenched in Canada's justice system. 'Simply put, the police investigating themselves is insufficient,' wrote Perrin, who is urging the board to launch an independent and transparent inquiry into Task Force Barrage. Such a review, Perrin said, must include whistleblower-protected testimony, input from Indigenous leaders and a broader look at how the operation is affecting public access to services and overall community well-being. sgrochowski@
