The City of Vancouver is celebrating a significant milestone, claiming it has reached a 23-year low in violent crime.
The milestone was announced in a release from the City of Vancouver, which reported that significant declines in violent crime were observed in the Downtown Eastside during Task Force Barrage.
According to the release, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is welcoming the Vancouver Police Department’s plan to establish a new district, “to provide oversight and dedicated, permanent resources in the area,” called District 5.
“District 5 will build on the success of Task Force Barrage,” Sim said in a statement.
The development comes as the FIFA countdown stands at 275 days.
“By moving toward a dedicated district with sustained and permanent resources for the Downtown Eastside and neighbouring communities, the VPD will be better positioned to keep organized crime off our streets and support a safer, healthier city.”
Before examining VPD’s statistics, it’s essential to note that the 23-year low is since VPD began tracking crime statistics in 2002. The statistics also don’t include violent incidents that fall under the jurisdiction of the Metro Vancouver Transit Police (MVTP), which was established in 2005.
The City of Vancouver’s release outlines the following decreases in specific crimes, compared to the same period in 2024, between Feb. 13 and Aug. 12:
- 18 per cent decline in violent crimes
- 44 per cent decline in robberies
- 23 per cent decline in serious assaults
- 1,456 weapons seizures; 171 firearms seizures
- 879 arrests of individuals with outstanding warrants
In Q1 2024, there were 1,342 violent crime cases. In Q1 2025, there were 1,192.
The City of Vancouver also included some stats from Vancouver Fire Rescue Services during the same period:
- 28 per cent reduction in all incidents in the Firehall 2 service area
- 30 per cent reduction in structure fires in the Firehall 2 service area
- 28 per cent reduction in all medical responses in Firehall service areas of 1, 2 and 8
- 36 per cent decline in overdoses in Firehall service areas of 1, 2 and 8
The Firehall 2 service area covers the Downtown Eastside.
“This is what happens when you fully fund frontline services and direct resources to the areas that need them most,” Sim added.
“It’s critically important that we build on the gains we’ve made to date,” Sim said.
As part of these developments, a motion will be coming to council next month to launch a program called VanStat, which is a version of CompStat. It’s a program used by police agencies around North America.
“VanStat will allow for monthly performance review meetings which incorporate data from the City’s police, fire, sanitation, housing, arts and culture, and business services departments,” said Sim.
“This program will deliver better transparency for the public and more accountability for City departments.”
- You might also like:
- Former cop's brutally honest take on crime and justice in Vancouver
- Two-thirds of B.C. businesses say crime and street disorder getting worse
- Woman who killed 29-year-old in Yaletown stranger attack gets six-year sentence
Want to stay on top of all things Vancouver? Follow us on X