A group representing 8,000 businesses in downtown Vancouver is ramping up its push for enhanced safety measures after one of its members was reportedly punched during an “unprovoked” assault over the weekend.
The Downtown Vancouver Business Association (DVBIA) is calling on the next government to prioritize safety in the city.
It says three of its safety ambassadors were on patrol when they encountered a man behaving aggressively toward others, resulting in one ambassador being allegedly punched.
President and CEO Jane Talbot says their safety ambassadors are experiencing more physical and verbal attacks than ever before.
“Over the last couple of years, the situation on our streets has changed, and the status quo is not working. We now have to track the number of times our ambassadors are verbally assaulted, and, sadly, the number of times they encounter physical assaults. So that’s new,” said Talbot.
She says the DVBIA is asking for a holistic approach to public safety, including comprehensive support for individuals living with mental health and addiction, addressing the issue of repeat offenders, and further investments into law enforcement.
“There is no doubt that the individual that our ambassadors encountered this weekend was struggling. So when we say we’re looking for support, the health and addiction, we’re talking about a number of things,” said Talbot. She adds that the DVBIA is asking for treatment on-demand, more drop-in centres, and more employment programs, to name a few.
Last month, the DVBIA launched a campaign to highlight what is at stake if political parties do not prioritize community safety on their platforms.
The campaign, ‘Better Safe Than Sorry,’ is urging people to ask their candidates how they plan to make Vancouver a safer place.
“We need our elected officials to know that safety needs to be prioritized in downtown Vancouver,” said Talbot.
The DVBIA says the ambassador received minor injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.