Vancouver police say they are disappointed after social media posts showed downtown streets crowded with party-goers on Halloween night, apparently flouting COVID-19 safety protocols.
Spokesman Const. Jason Doucette says it wasn't possible to try to disperse the alcohol-fuelled crowd or issue tickets due to a number of factors.
He says the number of people in downtown grew larger than expected and additional resources were brought in from around the city.
Doucette says police made a number of arrests for minor offences, such as causing a disturbance, but there were no reported injuries.
He says police likely won’t have a clear picture of calls for service on Halloween until later today.
On Thursday, B.C.'s chief medical officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, said the province was in a "danger zone" with more than 2,300 active cases of COVID-19 being reported.
Really cool how Vancouver is just filled with massive idiots congregating on Granville tonight!
— Rosemary Travale (@RosemaryTravale) November 1, 2020
🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃 WHY DOESNT ANYONE CARE ABOUT ANYONE ELSE! THIS IS REALLY FRUSTRATING!!! I would like to be able to go see my family SOMETIME NEXT YEAR YOU DINGDONGS pic.twitter.com/7Mv1Fpz14M
Granville Street right now from r/vancouver
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 1, 2020.
