Police in Vancouver say there are no security or public safety threats that may impact Taylor Swift's Eras Tour shows at BC Place on Dec. 6, 7, and 8, but they are monitoring the situation.
"We're aware of other safety incidents that have occurred in other cities related to other concerts that have happened," said Sgt. Steve Addison during a press conference on Thursday (Nov. 28). "There's currently no specific safety threat that we're aware of."
Addison and BC Place general manager Chris May reiterated the emphasis on public safety during Swift's tour, which is expected to bring (along with neighbouring events) an estimated 250,000 or more people to Vancouver's downtown stadium district over three days next weekend.
"We'll continue to assess and reassess; public safety is obviously our top priority," Addison added.
To help reinforce a sense of security, 700 VPD officers are being deployed to the area during the three days, including mounted units. Many will be wearing bright yellow police vests that will ensure authorities stand out in the crowd.
"The highly visible police presence is designed to deter crime and to provide that sense of safety and reassurance to all concertgoers," Addison said. "And to allow us to respond quickly in the unlikely event that there is a significant, major public safety issue."
The VPD 'part of this positive experience'
While the police will be on-site in part as a crime deterrent and security presence, Addison adds that concertgoers and people visiting Vancouver can ask the officers whatever they need to know, and police help answer or guide them to someone who can.
"Our objective here is, we want to be part of this positive experience for people," explained Addison. "So visitors from outside, new to the city who might not know their way around, by all means, come and find us."
Officer friendship bracelets
Some police officers (and police horses) are also participating in the friendship bracelet part of the Taylor Swift fandom. Addison said officers are free to trade and receive bracelets and pose with photos.
"We encourage people who are coming here to come and interact with our officers. Say hi, take a picture. Trade bracelets."
While the horses won't be trading bracelets, he notes it'll be fine to pose for a photo with them, as long as people ask the officer on the horse for permission.
Public safety on the street
During the Eras Tour weekend, Addison said the VPD's objective is public safety when it comes to activities in and around BC Place, and that's what officers will be focused on.
When asked about unauthorized street vendors, he said it's a hypothetical situation he can't speak to in advance.
"We have the authority to enforce the law, but our primary objective is public safety—to create a safe and enjoyable experience for concert-goers."
Buskers, he noted, receive permits from the City of Vancouver under the city's purview. Neither are part of the police's public safety plan.
At the same time, there is no place to move unhoused people out of the area near BC Place, Addison said.
Ticket fraud
As with other cities, there have been some reports of ticket fraud for the highly anticipated Vancouver shows - the last on Swift's nearly two-year long world tour.
"We've had a couple of dozen reports—since, really, the tickets went on sale—of ticket frauds," Addison noted, adding that that's just what's been reported in Vancouver.
At the same time, ticket scams are a crime that's significantly underreported, he said.
Addison said details of the fraud cases can't be shared at this time.
