Vancouver mayoral candidates debate how to make Chinatown, DTES safer
CTV
The increase in street crime and random violence that's currently plaguing Vancouver is particularly noticeable in Chinatown.
The increase in street crime and random violence that’s currently plaguing Vancouver is particularly noticeable in Chinatown.
On Saturday, five of the candidates running for mayor gathered for an often contentious town hall meeting that focused how to revive the historic Downtown Eastside neighborhood.
The first question: How would they make the streets safe again in their first few months in office?
ABC mayoral candidate Ken Sim says he would ask the Vancouver Police Department to hire 100 additional officers and 100 mental health nurses.
TEAM Vancouver candidate Colleen Hardwick is also in favour of beefing up the VPD.
“I think the most important thing out of the gate is we need police boots on the ground. We need police officers walking in Chinatown connecting in-person with business owners, seniors and residents,” Hardwick said, adding ”Driving by ain’t gonna do it.”
Rather than adding more police, incumbent Kennedy Stewart instead pledges to hire 25 counsellors trained in mental health and addictions to focus on non-violent issues involving people experiencing mental health struggles and addiction.
