Vancouver police increasing patrols after open letter, concerns; critics speak out

Editor’s note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the open letter was shared by three NPA councillors. They are in fact, now independents and are no longer affiliated with the NPA.

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Vancouver police say they’re stepping up patrols in the downtown core in response to concerns about crime, but critics argue more officers and additional funding for the VPD isn’t the answer.

The VPD says it will be increasing the number of patrols in the “hardest hit areas,” particularly Granville Street and the West End. The force says it will not be bringing in additional officers, but that officers will be redeployed to those areas on foot and by bike.

“We’ll be responding to calls, we’ll be working with business owners,” said Sgt. Steve Addison.

#VPDnews: In response to concerns from business owners and residents who don't feel safe and are frustrated by rising crime, the #VPD is redeploying officers in the downtown core to increase street-level police presence. https://t.co/Bwaw4Mm5oY pic.twitter.com/ykWF4eRtCt

— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) September 16, 2021

This comes after an open letter was shared by three Vancouver city councillors on Wednesday, outlining what they call “a growing crime problem in and around downtown Vancouver.”

In the letter, councillors Sarah Kirby-Yung, Lisa Dominato, and Rebecca Bligh say they’ve been hearing from people who say they’re getting fed up.

The trio, who are on council as independents, outline steps they are taking to address concerns, including support and funding police.

However, according to the Pivot Legal Society, the open statement “conflates ‘public safety’ with more police on the streets,” arguing that is not the answer.

“Their statement, issued to downtown residents, does acknowledge the cross-section of issues that are impacting our most-marginalized neighbours: lack of adequate mental health treatment, insufficient interventions despite a public health emergency stemming from the contaminated drug supply and the ongoing lack of adequate housing options,” said Meenakshi Mannoe with the society.

“None of these issues will be resolved by police or increasing police budgets,” Mannoe’s statement continued.

Mannoe goes on to say the call to defund the police “fundamentally stems from a recognition that policing and criminalization are not working,” adding it instead further marginalizes people.

“Decriminalizing poverty was unanimously supported by our City Council last summer, yet these Councillors are issuing statements that contradict this support,” the statement continues.

“Pivot Legal Society, alongside numerous other organizations that directly work with people who are criminalized, supports the call to defund the police as a long-term measure to redirect funds that support community-led safety issues.”

The letter from the three city councillors argues “supporting and appropriately funding” police is necessary “so they can respond to emergencies as well as proactively address vandalism, crime, and safety issue.”

“We also really wanted to try to balance out the conversation that this is not simply about doing away with policing or only aspiring to housing and other things, but that we need to have both,” she said Wednesday.

As part of the letter, Kirby-Yung, Dominato, and Bligh say they’re working through the annual Union of BC Municipalities conference this week to try to convince the province to do more to address issues, like policing and public housing.

We’re hearing concerns loud and clear. Here’s our Open Letter to Downtown Residents and Businesses from myself, @rebeccaleebligh & @LisaDominato in response to growing concerns about public safety. See: https://t.co/8U3gHUSS2d#publicsafety #vanpoli #bcpoli

— Sarah Kirby-Yung 楊瑞蘭 (@sarahkirby_yung) September 15, 2021

The letter also calls on the rest of Vancouver council to have a “real discussion” about public safety.

The councillors note B.C.’s Police Act is currently under review by the province, with recommendations expected in the spring.

“We can expect those recommendations to consider a more health-centered response to mental health and addiction crises. And we need to be open to exploring new approaches to an opioid crisis that takes more lives daily and annually than the COVID-19 pandemic has,” the letter reads.

While the letter calls for increased police patrols, Kirby-Yung, who is married to a Vancouver Police officer, tells NEWS 1130 the matter has nothing to do with politics, claiming that is a discussion that has being politicized.

“I think calling to defund police is a headline. It’s a strong statement. I think what we need to do is peel that back and realistically say, ‘What are people calling for?’ And what they’re calling for is to address the overwhelming social issues,” she said.

In the past, critics have questioned the need for more funding for the Vancouver Police Department.

Proponents of the “Defund the Police” movement across North America say too much money is spent throwing often marginalized people in jail, and not enough is spent on community programs, education, and drug addiction services.

“We have engaged both the provincial government and municipal government with recommendations for nearly two decades and will continue to call on all levels of government to redirect funds from police and other entities that criminalize poverty and instead invest in root cause solutions,” said Mannoe with the Pivot Legal Society.

-With files from Martin MacMahon