Vancouver – Vancouver Police will deploy extra officers for Sunday’s Lunar New Year celebration, and encourage everyone attending the parade to prepare for large crowds.
“We’re excited to be part of the 50th anniversary of the Lunar New Year parade, and we’ll have a significant police presence throughout Chinatown to ensure this is a safe, fun, and family friendly event,” says Superintendent Andrew Chan, who is overseeing VPD’s deployment for Lunar New Year.
The parade, which starts and finishes near the Chinese Cultural Centre and travels through Chinatown, is expected to draw tens of thousands of people to the area.
VPD officers will re-direct vehicle traffic away from the parade route, help manage the large crowds, and respond immediately if public safety concerns arise.
“While there’s no specific public safety risk, whenever there is an event this size, and with so many people, there’s always an increased need for police services,” adds Superintendent Chan. “Our priority is to foster a safe environment where people can enjoy the parade and to respond immediately if someone needs our help.”
VPD recommends the following tips to ensure parade attendees have a safe and enjoyable experience:
- Plan ahead and get there early. Moving around will be challenging, due to the number of people we expect in the neighbourhood. Arriving early will ensure you get a good spot along the parade route and don’t find yourself frustrated by traffic delays.
- Anticipate significant traffic disruptions and limited parking. Consider taking SkyTrain to Main Street-Science World or Stadium Station, then walk to the parade route.
- For those attending with small children, establish a meeting point in case you get separated. Consider writing the name and phone number of a parent on a piece of paper and putting it in your child’s pocket, and encourage them to approach a police officer if they need help.
- If you need help, flag down a VPD officer or call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
