In a move aimed at tackling rising crime and street disorder, Vancouver City Council has approved the establishment of a new Community Policing Centre (CPC) for the Gastown and Hastings Crossing areas. The centre, expected to open in early 2025, is intended to increase police presence and improve safety in these vulnerable neighbourhoods. However, the decision to run the CPC under Vancouver Police Department (VPD) management has sparked debate among local stakeholders, who had initially advocated for a more community-led model.
Addressing Safety in a Critical Neighbourhood
The Gastown and Hastings Crossing neighbourhoods, part of the larger Downtown Eastside area, have long faced challenges related to homelessness, mental health crises, and drug addiction. In recent years, these issues have contributed to a noticeable increase in crime and street disorder, prompting urgent calls for intervention from residents, businesses, and community organizations.
For years, the Hastings Crossing Business Improvement Association (HxBIA) has been advocating for safety measures, emphasizing the need for a policing model that addresses the root causes of disorder while maintaining respect and compassion for the area’s vulnerable populations. With over 800 member businesses, HxBIA has been at the forefront of discussions with the city, the police department, and other political stakeholders, pushing for a solution that would improve security and stability for both residents and businesses.
The newly approved CPC is seen by the city as a step toward addressing these concerns. According to Mayor Ken Sim, while the CPC is not a “silver bullet” for solving the complex issues in the area, it is “a step in the right direction.”
The CPC’s Mission and Location
The new policing centre will be housed in a storefront at the Woodward’s building on West Hastings and Abbott Streets. Its goal is to improve law enforcement visibility in the area, enhance the sense of safety, and foster trust between the police and the community. The CPC is expected to host integrated safety units, and there is talk of having BC Ambulance bikers stationed there to support emergency response efforts.
The City of Vancouver estimates the operational costs of the CPC at $200,000 annually and is currently negotiating start-up funding with the provincial government. While the centre is set to open as soon as possible, several factors—including securing the space and hiring staff—may affect the timeline.
In a statement, the city highlighted the ongoing struggles of the Downtown Eastside, noting the impact of “a growing predatory, criminal element” that preys on the area’s most vulnerable residents. The city also reiterated the importance of increased police presence in improving safety for all community members.
A Disputed Model
Although the creation of the CPC has received widespread support from Vancouver City Council, not everyone is satisfied with the approved model. The HxBIA and other local stakeholders had initially lobbied for a community-led CPC, similar to those in other parts of Vancouver, where an independent society would oversee the centre. Such a model, they argue, would better reflect the needs of the area’s diverse population, offering a more collaborative approach to public safety.
HxBIA’s vision for the CPC included a board of directors, dedicated staff, and a Neighbourhood Policing Officer to ensure the centre would be accountable to the community it serves. However, the approved version will be run by the VPD, with no clear timeline or strategy for transitioning to a community-driven model. This decision has left many community leaders concerned that the centre may not achieve the level of community buy-in necessary to effect real change.
In a public statement, HxBIA expressed disappointment with the outcome, saying, “Despite several amendments introduced at Council to align this model with the identified needs of the community, the final approved motion does not include the key benefits of a CPC that we believe our member businesses and property owners need to address the root causes of safety in our community.”
Balancing Safety and Compassion
The new CPC comes at a time when Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside continues to face significant challenges. While increasing police presence and response times are seen as critical for improving safety, there is a widespread recognition that any policing strategy in the area must be thoughtful, balanced, and compassionate. Mayor Sim emphasized that respect and care for vulnerable populations must remain central to the city’s safety strategy, adding that the complex social issues in the neighbourhood require a sensitive approach.
The city has also been exploring additional measures to address the root causes of crime and disorder in the area, including discussions around mandatory care for individuals suffering from extreme mental health and addiction issues and reforms to federal bail policies for repeat offenders. Many advocates stress that these efforts, combined with strategies to curb the influx of toxic drugs, are essential to any long-term solution for improving safety in the Downtown Eastside.
What Happens Next?
The Community Policing Centre is expected to open in early 2025, though the exact timing depends on securing the location and completing any necessary repairs. The city is working with Westbank, the developer of the Woodward’s building, to finalize the space, and discussions with the provincial government regarding funding are ongoing.
As the opening date approaches, the focus will shift to how the centre is received by the community and whether it will fulfill its intended role of improving safety while fostering trust between law enforcement and the public. While the VPD-run model has raised concerns, city officials remain optimistic that the CPC will make a positive impact.
Councillor Rebecca Bligh echoed the mayor’s commitment to finding a balanced approach, saying, “We need to make sure that we’re striking a balance that creates a net positive both for residents as well as the businesses—and to some of the more vulnerable and complex needs that play out on the streets.”
A Community Divided, But Hopeful
As with any major decision, the establishment of the new CPC has sparked both optimism and uncertainty within the community. For some, the centre represents a much-needed boost to safety efforts in a neighbourhood that has struggled with crime and disorder for far too long. For others, the decision to have the VPD oversee the centre rather than a community-led body feels like a missed opportunity to address the deeper, underlying issues that plague the area.
The success of the centre will ultimately depend on its ability to foster meaningful relationships between law enforcement and the community. Whether the new CPC can balance the need for security with the compassion and understanding required in a complex neighbourhood like the Downtown Eastside remains to be seen.
As Vancouver prepares for the opening of the Gastown and Hastings Crossing CPC, one thing is clear: the eyes of the community will be closely watching to see if this new centre can deliver on its promise of a safer, more secure environment for all.
Lance has lived in the Downtown Eastside for years, staying closely connected to the neighbourhood and the people who call it home. He writes about the issues that matter—from housing and policy shifts to the everyday stories that shape the community—because DTES isn’t just where he lives, it’s a place he cares deeply about.
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