Police are reporting a busy weekend after hot weather sent many locals to beaches and the Vancouver waterfront.
In a press release, the VPD list numerous incidents, many of them involving intoxicated people near the ocean, mostly at Sunset Beach or near English Bay.
In one case, an intoxicated cyclist with an open beer pushed a 75-year-old man who was in the seawall bike lane near Sunset Beach.
"The cyclist then threw his bike at a skateboarder, threatened to kill him, and rode off," states the VPD.
In another case, a 24-year-old man who was intoxicated assaulted two strangers and sprayed them with beer Saturday night at Sunset Beach. In an unrelated case at the same time and beach, a 25-year-old man, also intoxicated, was causing a disturbance. Police approached him and told him to leave the beach.
He told them he was going to start robbing people.
Both men were arrested and taken to jail to sober up.
Around the same time, an ambulance had to be called for a 15-year-old girl who was heavily intoxicated and found on the beach.
Later the same night, a group of intoxicated men took to smashing glass bottles at a nearby parking lot.
Not all incidents on the seashore involved intoxication.
In one case, a 15-year-old was arrested after a group of teens got in a fight. One 19-year-old was slashed with a knife and kicked in the head. Nearby police were ale to intervene quickly.
In another case, witnesses saw a man assaulting a woman at Sunset Beach Sunday morning. Police were able to locate the man and arrest him; charges are being recommended.
At the nearby Third Beach, police were called by witnesses who reported two men following young girls and recording them. The suspects were located, but not the girls, who may have left with an adult. An investigation is ongoing.
Another investigation has been opened after a man was seen watching children at David Lam Park on Friday afternoon. Police state the witness alleges the man had been to the park in the past and acted suspiciously. The man has been identified, states VPD.
Cyclists also faced issues. One man riding near Kitsilano Beach was threatened when the suspect allegedly leapt in front of him and tried to stop him.
And, near the Plaza of Nations, one cyclist allegedly spat on another and threatened to shoot him. A suspect has not been identified.
In Stanley Park, a group of picnickers and cricket players were involved in a confrontation after one of the picnickers was hit by a cricket ball.
"Officers spoke to everyone involved, calmed them down, and helped the picnickers find a better spot to enjoy their evening," said Vancouver police.
Also at Stanley Park, a 52-year-old suspect is facing multiple charges after allegedly threatening a couple who were out stargazing at Prospect Point. The suspect was located with a knife, hatchet and hacksaw.
As a result of the number of incidents, police will be upping the number of officers near the waterfront and at beaches for the summer.
"Beach patrol officers, who deploy on all-terrain vehicles and work exclusively on the waterfront, will provide extra police presence to ensure public safety and respond quickly to incidents as soon as they occur," police said.
