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- Police union officials told officers to take no notes in Myles Gray’s death, coroner's inquest hears
Police union officials told officers to take no notes in Myles Gray’s death, coroner's inquest hears
Plus a poll on safety in the downtown core
Geoff Sharpe
April 24, 2023
Good morning,
Is Ryan Reynolds a Vancouver guy or an Ottawa guy? It’s really hard to know, what with all the media coverage he receives in each city. With him potentially buying the Senators, we may soon be second fiddle… Anyone know a local sports team he could buy?
Today, we’ve got:
What people think about crime in the downtown core;
Testimony at the Myles Gray coroner’s inquest;
And how to book popular parks.
Let’s go!
— Geoff Sharpe, Vancity Lookout newsletter writer
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WEATHER
Monday: 13 🌡️ 7 | 🌧
Tuesday: 13 🌡️ 7 | 🌤
Wednesday: 16 🌡️ 8 | 🌤
WEEKLY LOOKOUT
🏖️ Shorts time: Good news, all you beach fans. Vancouver could get up to 30 degrees by next weekend, with average temperatures well above 20 degrees. [Daily Hive]
🛑 Slow down: A new speed limit could be instituted on Cromwell Ave., going from the current speed of 50 km/h down to 30 km/h. It comes after a young girl was hit and injured on the street. [CTV]
🪧 Picket lines expand: The President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada says the union plans to expand picket lines to key strategic locations around the country as both sides make little progress on bargaining. [The Canadian Press]
PUBLIC SAFETY
Bad polling for Vancouver’s downtown core
Metro Vancouver residents are not feeling great about the downtown core, with a large majority saying they’re concerned about safety, according to a new poll by Leger as per Global News reporting.
The numbers: 80 percent are concerned about the state of affairs in downtown Vancouver. Even more concerning is that 40 percent say they “they fear for their safety on a daily basis.”
Compared to pre-pandemic levels, 71 percent also say they feel violence and crime have gotten worse.
Yes, but: While data shows violence is on the rise, the topline poll questions asked people throughout the entire Metro Vancouver, many of whom do not even live in the downtown core.
Why it matters: It’s clear crime is a major issue for people. Concerns about safety, plus the rise in transit attacks, may mean fewer people want to visit the downtown core, which is bad news for the city.
Data shows that in 2022, violent crime rose to 3,286 incidents, up from 3,081 the year before, according to Vancouver is Awesome.
Looking ahead: Public safety has been a huge issue lately. The poll shows that 80 percent want tougher sentences for offenders. Politicians, especially opposition parties at all levels of government, have made public safety a key point of criticism against governing parties.
Zoom out: Transit violence is not only an issue in Canada but also America. According to reporting by CBC, many American cities are taking a multifaceted approach, including pairing mental health workers with police, proactive engagement with vulnerable people in transit systems, cleaning, art installations and a general focus on keeping the system safe and clear for users.
VANCOUVER NUMBERS
💉 373: The number of First Nations people who died from illicit toxic drugs in B.C. in 2022. It represents 16.4 percent of the population who died. First Nations people represent only 3.3 percent of B.C.’s population [CBC]
🔥 30%: The decline in fires in the Downtown Eastside since the city and police removed the encampment tents. [Vancouver Sun]
🌲 32: The number of wildfires in B.C. so far this year, down from 54 this time last year. [Vancouver is Awesome]
POLICE
Police union officials told officers to take no notes in Myles Gray’s death, coroner's inquest hears
New testimony at the coroner's inquiry into the death of Myles Gray is raising questions about how police officers and the police union acted during and after his arrest.
No notes: Some offers were told by the Vancouver Police Union representatives not to take notes after Gray’s arrest, which is against normal policy, according to Global. The officers involved are currently facing an investigation for alleged abuse of authority. Gray died after his arrest by police.
It is not clear if the two police union officials who were present at the time, and allegedly counselled the officers, are facing any investigation.
No injuries? Only one officer out of the seven who arrived at the scene and arrested Gray noticed that he was injured, and noted he had swelling under his eye, according to the Globe and Mail. Another officer did not notice any blood or injuries.
Gray suffered a “broken nose, eye socket, rib and voice box, as well as brain bleeding and a ruptured testicle that day,” according to the Globe and Mail. Three of the officers were injured while trying to arrest him.
Officers also testified that Gray had superhuman strength, referring to a condition called “excited delirium” which was taught to them at the police academy. According to the Globe and Mail, the jury was told that the condition is “no longer accepted by most forensic pathologists.”
Background: The coroner’s inquest will last days and began last Monday. A coroner's inquest does not say who is legally responsible, “but may make recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future,” according to CityNews. In 2020 no charges were brought against the officers.
JOBS
Find your new dream job in Vancouver:
Community lead, Vancouver at WeWork
Business strategies, senior manager (public service) at Salesforce
Managing director, social policy and projects at City of Vancouver
Brand director (bike industry) at Good Fortune Collective
Director, mental health and recovery programs at Coast Mental Health
THE AGENDA
🎭 The popular Kitsilano Showboat amphitheatre was damaged in a fire on Saturday. The cause has not been determined. [CBC]
🌆 Downtown Eastside residents and business owners say while the tents are gone, not much has changed the community. Tents continue to pop up but have been quickly removed by police. [Vancouver Sun]
🚓 The Vancouver Police Department says the return of the school liaison officer program, where police officers are at local schools, will be different this time. The program was previously removed by the Vancouver School Board after allegations of discrimination against minority students. [CTV]
⚾ Nat Bailey Stadium is now called Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium after the ever-so-popular telecom giant bought the naming rights to the field. [Daily Hive]
🔈 Nearly 80 people gave talks at Vancouver TED Talk, on big issues like AI, the environment and communications. [CBC]
EVENTS
Best of Belgium | Craft Beer Market English Bay | April 26, 6 pm | Belgian beer experts, with a custom dinner and curated beer pairings | Tickets $81
Vancouver International Wine Festival | Vancouver Convention Centre | Saturday - April 30 | The best wines in the world, an annual celebration of wine + food, voted #1 Food, Wine and Hospitality Event in Canada | Tickets $100+
Gypsy Kings featuring Tonino Baliardo | The Orpheum | April 26, 7 pm | The kings of gypsy music, playing flamenco, salsa and pop | Tickets start at $79
Hastings Race Course opening | April 30 | Sports racing returns, come gamble and watch the houses race | Free.
Vancouver Brewer’s Fest | Various locations | Now until April 30 | Numerous events for beer lovers, including Lagerfer, brewery tours and food | Multiple events
NATURE
Get your park passes here, fresh new passes
One of the best reasons for living in Vancouver is access to its parks. But to be ready, you’ll need to plan ahead to visit some popular spots.
The details: Starting May 6, popular B.C. park Joffre Lake, that insanely Instagram-worthy spot, will require a day-use pass. On June 14 Golden Ears Provincial Park and Garibaldi Park will also require passes, according to CTV.
How to do it: Head over to BC Parks to book on their website. You can only do it two days before a scheduled visit. Make sure to print it or save it on your phone. Places like Garibaldi and Golden Ears have different trailhead parking spots, and you’ll need to choose the spot when you make your booking.
Reminder: Camping reservations are ongoing, with a four-month advance booking instead of the previous two months, according to CBC. Sadly that means if you haven’t already booked for the summer, you may not have much luck for July and most of August.
COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS
Hope, Steveston, Salt Spring and Sechel are leaving Vancouver. No they aren’t members of an alt-rock band, they’re four African penguins who are being moved to Edmonton in May. [Global]
Port Coquitlam is offering free admission to public outdoor pools all summer. Maybe Vancouver should copy it… [CBC]
Over 500,000 people attended Vaisakhi in Surrey this weekend. Here are some of the photos. [CBC]
AROUND THE WORLD
In a new series, I want to try and highlight interesting stories, ideas or data that give you a little more context into what’s happening around the world, and how it relates to Vancouver.
What is it: This week, I’m recommending a Vox article analyzing why cities aren’t building enough apartments for families.
Why read it: It’s an issue facing Vancouver as more and more families flee to the suburbs where they can actually have a home big enough for a growing family. Vancouver is at a crossroads about who the city is being built for.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
Mattbcoder shared this beautiful shot of an owl. Did anyone else capture a cool shot? Send it in and it could be featured!
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