Vancouver police increasing patrols after apparent threat to kill officer

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) is upping patrols in the city’s Downtown Eastside neighbourhood after receiving information about “an escalation of violence directed towards police.”

1130 NewsRadio has obtained an internal email sent Monday night by Acting Chief Steve Rai that reveals details about an “unknown group of young men” who were “considering a plan to kill a police officer.”

The memo comes after a series of incidents involving police officers. Those included a man attempting to set a pair of officers on fire, and another officer being slashed in the leg early last month during what police called a random attack.

Rai’s email provided a point-by-point list of actions the department is undertaking to protect members, which include:

• Additional on-duty officers have been redeployed from surrounding districts and speciality units
• Additional officers are currently being called out to provide support and police presence in the Downtown Eastside tonight and over the coming days

The email states the threats are being investigated.

Police spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison tells 1130 NewsRadio that patrols have been stepped up in the neighbourhood over the last couple of months as part of Task Force Barrage — a dedicated operation led by the VPD in the Downtown Eastside.

“It’s really important to differentiate the horrible, obscene, violent attacks that have occurred on our officers that have been committed by criminals and violent people, from the everyday residents of that neighbourhood,” Addison explained Wednesday.

“These attacks on our officers … are not reflective of the majority of the people who live in that neighbourhood, who are by and large, people whose life circumstances have brought them to a very troubled neighbourhood.

“When our officers are walking the beat in that neighbourhood and we’re interacting with members of the public, those interactions are overwhelmingly positive. We are appreciated by people who live in that neighbourhood. They understand why we’re there,” he added.

When asked if patrols were being increased in other neighbourhoods, Addison reiterated that extra deployments are happening in the Downtown Eastside.

Vancouver Police Union (VPU) Acting President James Hubert told 1130 NewsRadio in a statement that the threat of violence underscores the hostility officers face.

“Particularly in areas like the Downtown Eastside, where the challenges of mental health, addiction, and organized crime continue to converge in increasingly dangerous ways. This is about more than just one incident. It reflects a broader and deeply concerning climate where police officers are being targeted simply for doing their jobs,” Hubert said.

“Our members continue to show up and serve with courage — but they need support. It’s time for government to step up, invest in real solutions, and start holding violent offenders accountable.”

In a statement, Mayor Ken Sim tells 1130 NewsRadio that the reports of a “targeted plot” against VPD officers are “deeply concerning.”

“No one should face threats for doing their job — especially those who put themselves in harm’s way to protect others. Thanks to the quick, professional work of the VPD, the situation is under control and the public remains safe,” Sim said.

“Their courage is a big reason Vancouver remains one of the safest major cities in North America. Now more than ever, we need to stand together as a city. Supporting those who protect us should never be political — it’s about doing what’s right.

“I want to thank the women and men of the VPD for their continued service and for the sacrifices they make on behalf of Vancouverites. Anyone with information is encouraged to come forward and support the VPD in their ongoing investigation.”