Improving Public Safety

A Safer City for All

Your safety is our priority. We’ve invested in a wide range of public safety measures to reduce crime, enhance emergency response and create safer neighbourhoods.

Investing in Emergency Response Services

Strengthening our police and fire services is essential for creating safe and thriving communities. The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) and Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) are now properly funded to ensure our communities are protected.

Hired new police officers, investing in new technology and supporting community policing centres.
Hired new mental health workers to help address the unprecedented mental health and addictions crisis.
Fully-funded the VPD for the first time in 15 years.
Fully-funded our fire department for the first time in 8 years.

Creating Safer Streets

Investing in public safety promotes economic growth, strengthens community trust and improves quality of life.

Hired 175 new police officers.
Approved funding of $8 million per year to enable Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) to hire 55 mental health nurses through a new Urgent Mental Health and Substance Use Service Enhancements Program.
Began implementation of a VPD “Body Worn Camera” program and funded the pilot program.
Fast-Tracked a new Community Policing Centre for Gastown and Hastings Crossing area.
Directed staff to report back on opportunities to grant VPD real-time access to the city’s traffic cameras to enable faster and more efficient responses to emergencies, major events and criminal activity across the city.
Committed additional funding to support programs such as the Digital Evidence Management System and nursing services at the Vancouver Jail.

Supporting our Fire Rescue Teams

We addressed the growing budget deficit of our fire department and invested in important fire safety initiatives.

Approved a budget increase to make VFRS the first fire department in North America with PFAS-free bunker gear, which protects our firefighters from the potential cancer causing materials commonly found in traditional bunker gear.
Approved amendments to the Fire by-law, including:

Mandated sprinkler isolation valves to help protect residents in older buildings, especially those living in SROs, from deadly fire incidents.
Approved folding style gates or doors to be installed on storefronts to deter theft.
Prohibited the retail sale of continuous flame butane lighters following a VFRS recommendation.

Revitalizing our Neighbourhoods

Ensuring the well-being of all who live, work and play in our city starts with making sure our neighbourhoods are safe and welcoming. That’s why revitalizing our communities is one of our top priorities and we’ve worked closely with our community partners to make our city a friendlier and safer place for all.

Approved up to $500,000 for the 2024 BIA Graffiti Abatement Grants to support local BIAs.
Launched the Granville Street Planning program to re-establish Granville as an exciting, welcoming, safe and inclusive downtown destination.
Reinstated an improved school liaison officer program to promote safer schools and communities.
Launched the Gastown Public Spaces Plan, which includes upgrades to Water Street, and a design and planning process to create a vibrant and people-friendly place.
Approved the West End Community Hub Renewal Plan, which includes the long-term vision for the renewal of the West End Community Centre, Joe Fortes Branch Library, King George Secondary School.
Launched the Uplifting Chinatown Action Plan, which has included more than $3.4 million in grants.
Approved the Chinatown Cultural District Framework to support economic and community development and address urgent needs, key priorities and new opportunities.
Established a new Chinatown Advisory Committee to provide advice to Council on matters related to Chinatown.

Supporting Diversity and Inclusion

Supporting marginalized communities is essential to building a more inclusive, compassionate and resilient society. When we ensure that everyone has access to opportunities, resources and support, we uplift our entire city.

Directed staff to create an inventory of City by-laws that potentially required amendments to align with the Equity Framework and approved the recommendations outlined in the report.
Passed the Youth Safety and Violence Prevention Strategy which charts a course for how we can support young people in Vancouver to live safe, violence-free lives.
Adopted the IHRA working definition of Anti-Semitism.
Approved the 2024-2028 UNDRIP Action Plan, which includes 88 deliverables, to guide our city toward a more inclusive and equitable future rooted in reconciliation.
Advancement of our accessibility and equity initiatives, including the continuation of Anti-Black Racism and South Asian Cultural Redress work.
Committed funding for Reconciliation to complete outstanding work on Gender Equity and Safety related to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and UN Safe Spaces.
Supported a renewed Trans, Gender Diverse and Two-Spirit (TGD2S) Inclusion and Safety Action Plan.
Approved the secondary street naming of Canada Place to be “Komagata Maru Place”, as part of the City’s ongoing efforts to redress historical discrimination against South Asian communities.

Improving Public Safety

We have invested in comprehensive measures to create safer,
more vibrant neighbourhoods.