Vancouver Police deployed extra officers for New Year’s Eve last night. They were assigned to the Granville Entertainment District, the Gastown Entertainment District and to look out for impaired driving.
Police in Vancouver responded to 34 calls related to the ‘Gathering and Events’ order from the Provincial Health Officer. Four tickets – $2,300 each – were issued to event organizers.
There were a few calls of note:
At around 6 p.m. last night, officers responded to a report of a serious, unprovoked assault. The suspect had walked up to another person not known to him near Granville and Helmcken streets and slashed the victim in the face with a machete. The victim was taken to hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect was located, arrested and taken to jail where he is being held in custody.
An hour later at 7 p.m., officers responded to a report of a weapon call near Granville and Davie streets. The suspect walked up to a man not known to him, put a metal object to the victim’s neck and said “you are my enemy.” The victim was able to get to a place of safety to call police. The suspect was not located and the file is still under investigation.
At 11 p.m., our officers responded to a complaint regarding a restaurant near Granville and Davie streets that was hosting a private, closed door party. Officers estimated there were around 100 people in attendance. Food and alcohol were being served. The owner/organizer was issued a violation ticket for $2,300 and the party was shut down by police.
A short while after at 11:30 p.m., officers responded to the Vancouver Art Gallery for a protestor who was climbing on top of one of the statues on site. While police were escorting her off the property, she bit one of the officers. The woman was charged for assaulting a police officer.
