TransLink will focus on liquor checks, early communication and temporarily closing SkyTrain stations if bad behaviour occurs during the upcoming hockey playoffs.
The goal is to contain the problem based on bad behaviour, said Doug Kelsey, TransLinks chief operating officer. TransLink said there will be more police at stations than last year and earlier, more frequent intelligence sharing with other police further up the SkyTrain line.
It will also temporarily close SkyTrain stations or skip stops based on bad behaviour.
John Furlong said we were too efficient in his [Stanley Cup riot] report, said TransLink spokesperson Drew Snider.
He said TransLink needed to balance the immediacy of bad behaviour with a need to move people around during the playoff run of the Vancouver Canucks, whose loss in Game 7 last year in the Stanley Cup final against Boston triggered a massive riot downtown, June 15. There were an estimated 100,000 people downtown.
Vancouver Police Department Chief Jim Chu told the police board last week that TransLink had finally recognized theres a maximum capacity downtown, but Kelsey and Snider emphasized the focus would be on behaviour, not volume.
The Olympics had high volumes but really great behaviour, Snider said. You dont need a lot of volume to have a riot. In London, Ontario, they had 2,000 people in a riot, so volume doesnt always dictate the outcome.
TransLink officials were to speak at a press conference about the citys plans for Stanley Cup playoff celebrations, March 28, after the Couriers press deadline. The city wouldnt share its plans with the Courier before the print press deadline.
Chu said last week the city didnt want large crowds to gather downtown. Instead the focus would be on small-scale community celebrations around the city and region. He later issued a revised statement saying citizens are encouraged to patronize downtown bars, restaurants, arenas, shops and theatres, but those who engage in public drinking, hooliganism and criminal behaviour wont be welcomed.
Municipalities that include Maple Ridge, New Westminster, Burnaby and Delta told the Courier they dont plan to alter the types of celebrations held in their communities last year during the playoff run. The suburbs saw few or no problems during the playoffs. Most of those charged in the June 15 riot were from outside Vancouver.
Surrey hasnt finalized its festivities yet. What Vancouver does will affect what we do, said Tara Foslein, senior communications specialist. Surrey hosted a gated outdoor gathering that drew its maximum capacity of 5,000 visitors during each of last years seven final games. It was more like an event rather than just a gathering place, Foslein said.
George Harvie, chief administrative officer for Delta, said the municipality expects an unsanctioned gathering of Delta and Surrey residents at the intersection of Scott Road and 72nd Avenue to happen again this year. Delta police reported up to 7,000 hockey fans gathered there during the final round of games in 2011.
Delta didnt approve any requests for outdoor celebrations last year because it was concerned about straining its police resources. Officers were needed to police the informal gathering and to be on standby to assist neighbouring municipalities, including Vancouver.
A total of 197 criminal charges had been laid against 75 suspected rioters as of March 20. The Integrated Riot Investigation Team has recommended 432 criminal charges against 150 suspected rioters so far. Police are exploring pre-printed tickets for liquor offences. The fine for drinking in a public place is $230.
Twitter: @Cheryl_Rossi
