Vancouver – A Vancouver Police initiative to improve safety in neighbourhoods surrounding the Downtown Eastside has driven street crime to some of the lowest levels in more than two years.

Vancouver Police launched Project Brighthaven in October 2024 to address community concerns about violent crime, street disorder, property crime, and retail thefts in Gastown and Hastings Crossing. Between October 1 and January 31, police deployed additional officers to deter and suppress violent crimes, to investigate n-progress incidents, and to quell organized retail crime.

“We hear the concerns about crime and safety from people who live, work, and operate businesses in neighbourhoods adjacent to the Downtown Eastside,” says Inspector Gary Hiar, the commanding officer of VPD’s District 2, which includes Gastown, Chinatown, Hastings Crossing, and the Downtown Eastside.

“Historically, these neighbourhoods have experienced disproportionate levels of street crime and disorder, due to their proximity to the Downtown Eastside. During Project Brighthaven, we deployed more officers into those neighbourhoods to increase peoples’ sense of safety, to deter crime, and to apprehend offenders.”

The increased and highly visible police presence has made a significant impact on public safety.

Key metrics:

Hastings Crossing

  • Violent crime decreased 27 per cent between October 1 and January 31, compared to the preceding four months, and was down 18 per cent compared to the same period one year ago.
  • Break and enters to businesses in Hastings Crossing decreased 33 per cent between October 1 and January 31, compared to the preceding four months, and was down 47 per cent compared to the same period one year ago.
  • Additional proactive police patrols resulted in a 37 per cent increase in incidents involving street disorder, compared to the previous four months, as officers mitigated more on-view incidents such as open drug use and people obstructing entrances to buildings.

Gastown

  • Assaults involving weapons and assaults causing bodily harm decreased 45 per cent between October 1 and January 31, compared to the preceding four months, and were down 59 per cent compared to the same period one year ago.
  • Shoplifting decreased 36 per cent between October 1 and January 31, compared to the preceding four months, and was down 36 percent compared to the same four-month period the year prior.
  • Additional proactive police patrols resulted in an 82 per cent increase in on-view incidents involving street disorder, compared to the previous four months, and a 152 per cent increase in street disorder incidents compared to the same period the previous year.

 

As a result of Project Brighthaven, January 2025 saw the fewest number of violent crimes and property crimes in Hastings Crossing in more than two years. At the same time, businesses within the Woodwards complex reported fewer shoplifting incidents.

Gastown includes the residential and commercial area located north of Hastings Street, between roughly Columbia Street and Richards Street.

Hastings Crossing includes the retail and residential areas surrounding the Woodwards complex at Abbott and West Hastings, as well as parts of Chinatown and the area known as Railtown, stretching from Columbia Street to Gore Avenue on the north side of Hastings Street.

“Project Brighthaven is one of the ongoing initiatives that falls under Task Force Barrage, which aims to drive down crime and restore safety to the Downtown Eastside one block at a time,” adds Inspector Hiar.

“While more work is needed, these results show our commitment to public safety is having a positive impact on neighbourhoods that deserve better.”

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