Vancouver plans to tackle ‘humanitarian crisis’ of crime in Downtown Eastside

Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside neighbourhood is in the grip of a “humanitarian crisis” of crime and violence that has reached a tipping point, Mayor Ken Sim said as he unveiled a taskforce to tackle organized crime.Sim stood alongside Vancouver police Chief Adam Palmer to announce what the mayor called a “long-term, sustained effort to disrupt criminal networks, hold offenders accountable and make our streets safer.”The city said Task Force Barrage will expand tactics that bring together police, fire, bylaw officers, sanitation crews and engineering teams to ensure sidewalks are clear and safe for residents, workers and visitors.