Since last October, the VPD responded to 344 protests related to the Israel-Hamas war, clocking 3,318 overtime shifts that cost $4.1 million
There will be extra Vancouver police officers posted throughout the city leading up to the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel, Chief Adam Palmer said on Friday.
Officers with the public safety unit will be on duty during the weekend to mitigate traffic disruptions and preserve order, he said.
The city has specially trained officers, as well as Vancouver Fire Rescue Services personnel, since the 2001 Stanley Cup riots, who work during events that draw large crowds.
The Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel killed more than 1,200 people, while another 250 were abducted, triggering an Israeli counter-offensive in Gaza that the government there says has left more than 41,000 dead.
Since the Hamas attack, the Vancouver Police Department has attended 344 protests related to the Israel-Hamas war, entailing 3,318 overtime shifts at a cost of $4.1 million.
In the first 100 days following Oct. 7, 2023, police logged a 62-per-cent increase in reports of antisemitism, Palmer said.
Vancouver police undertook 74 criminal investigations and recommended 47 charges to Crown counsel related to protests and antisemitic acts.
“The past 12 months have been hard on many in our local community, as well as many communities around the world,” the chief said. “It’s been especially hard for people who have been deeply impacted by the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel and the ongoing military conflicts in the Middle East.
“Although these conflicts are happening over 10,000 kilometres away, they have serious ramifications for us here in Vancouver in the coming days, as we move closer to the one-year anniversary of Oct. 7.”
Palmer did not say how many extra officers will be on duty this weekend, or how much the overtime would cost, but stated that Vancouverites will see a “significant and visible” police presence.
“We will also be working behind the scenes, with officers you don’t see, to assess and reassess potential risks, to respond immediately to emerging threats, and to share intelligence with our local, national, and international public safety partners,” the chief said.
Asked later for an elaboration, a VPD spokesman said the force would deploy a mix of regular duty officers and officers on overtime.
“We can’t say definitively what the final costs will be until the deployment is complete,” Sgt. Steve Addison said. “Our staffing levels may fluctuate throughout the weekend and into early next week
“Extra officers may be called out if needed, and others may be asked to work longer hours than planned.”
For the past year, the chief said the VPD has worked closely with members of the Muslim and Jewish faiths and with community leaders at large.
Mosques, synagogues, community centres and school drop-off zones at religion-based schools will all have a “highly visible” police presence over the next several days.
“Members of our Muslim and West Asian communities are also hurting,” he said. “For some, their sense of safety and belonging has been impacted by Islamophobia, things like hateful encounters with strangers and hurtful graffiti written on walls of schools and community centres.
“To be clear, we serve everyone in our community, and I am committed to making sure everyone, regardless of their race, religion, language or culture, feels safe.”
The VPD’s mobile command centre has been parked outside the Jewish Community Centre at Oak Street and West 41, and a public safety trailer stationed at a Vancouver synagogue.
These units have 360-degree cameras recording 24 hours a day.
“Their main function is to deter crime,” Palmer said. “However, the recordings can be used as evidence if crimes occur.”
In addition, extra patrols will take place in and around SkyTrain stations, in conjunction with Transit Police.
And the VPD criminal intelligence unit is working with the RCMP’s national security team, Palmer said, as well as with counterterrorism units.
“I know emotions are raw and people are experiencing a wide range of feelings right now,” Palmer said. “I also know there are many diverse opinions in this city.
“I don’t expect everyone to have the same point of view about the military conflict in the Middle East. However, I do expect that people will treat each other with respect and not resort to violence when expressing their points of view.
“Public safety is our priority. We will not accept violence and hatred in Vancouver.”
A spokesman for the RCMP, which polices all but 12 municipalities in B.C., said the Mounties continue to work with other forces, including the VDP, sharing information and intelligence.
“We are aware of the situation and monitoring for any potential public safety concerns,” said Cpl. Brett Urano of RCMP’s E Division.
“Each police jurisdiction has a clear plan and contingencies in place to respond to emerging issues, and sufficient personnel to keep the peace should any escalating actions occur.
“The B.C. RCMP has resources at the ready and available to assist any of our partners if they are needed and requested.”