Gastown's iconic Steam Clock has broken, smashed up glass (PHOTOS)
Artist Douglas Coupland called Vancouver the City of Glass, but lately, it’s become more like the city of broken glass.
According to Vancouver Police, they’ve launched an investigation to find out if someone intentionally damaged the steam clock in Gastown overnight on Saturday.
On Sunday, VPD’s Forensic Identification Unit was dispatched to collect evidence. Now, patrol investigators are canvassing for witnesses and security video.
On Sunday, May 1, there was no glass on the ground by the iconic tourist attraction, which sits at Cambie and Water Street, but the area was partly taped off. Still, the tourists didn’t seem to mind.
Andrew Lachkovics | Daily Hive
- You might also like:
- Vancouver sees more violent crime compared to pre-pandemic levels
- Concerns about Vancouver crime and safety heard at Council meeting
- Violent crime in Vancouver to be addressed during special council meeting
Social media users circulated photos of the damaged clock on Saturday, May 2.
Even the steam clock can’t escape the smashed glass across our city. @CityofVancouver @CityNewsVAN @CBCVancouver @JClerides @MyVancouver @gastown @MelissaDeGenova @PtFry @rebeccaleebligh @sarahkirby_yung @LisaDominato @kensimcity @mikefarnworthbc @jjhorgan #vancouver #gastown pic.twitter.com/TIAYOaK7ju
— Vantics (@Vantics) May 1, 2022
A source with the City of Vancouver told Daily Hive that City staff were securing the area around the steam clock to ensure it is safe. Then, they’ll assess the damage and determine next steps. More information is expected to become available in the next few days.
A rep from the Gastown Business Improvement Society told Daily Hive that the City of Vancouver is responsible for maintaining the steam clock but that the society shares some of the costs.
Since COVID-19, there’s overwhelming anecdotal and data-driven evidence for increases in vandalism city-wide, especially in neighbourhoods like Chinatown and Gastown.
In April’s Public Safety Indicator report, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) said that property crimes increased to 7,511 in 2022, up 6.8% from 2021.
Mischief has increased by 4.1% from last year, and compared to the three-year average; it has increased by 9.4%.
Daily Hive Urbanized connected with Extreme Glass, who said that their company’s amount of calls about broken glass at businesses is unprecedented.
Daily Hive has reached out to the City and VPD for more information and will update this story.
With files from Daily Hive staff.
Follow Channels and Categories