Vancouver has just recorded its lowest violent crime rate in more than two decades, thanks in large part to Mayor Ken Sim’s backing of a new Vancouver Police Department strategy for the Downtown Eastside.
The results speak for themselves: fewer assaults, fewer robberies, fewer overdoses, and thousands of weapons taken off the streets. It’s a major shift for a part of the city that has long struggled with safety.
But while the City of Vancouver has made big moves to turn things around, there’s one thing Mayor Sim says is clear: real, lasting change now depends on the province and federal government doing their part to keep repeat violent offenders behind bars.
Task Force Barrage Delivers Results
Task Force Barrage, launched earlier this year, flooded the Downtown Eastside with sustained resources. The impact has been dramatic:
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18% drop in violent crime
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44% decline in robberies
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23% decline in serious assaults
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1,458 weapons seized, including 171 firearms
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879 arrests of people with outstanding warrants
The fire department has seen progress too, with overdose calls down 36% and structure fires down 30% in the hardest-hit areas.
“This is what happens when you fully fund frontline services and direct resources where they’re needed most,” said Mayor Sim.
Permanent VPD Presence in the DTES
Building on this momentum, the VPD is creating District 5, a new police district dedicated solely to the Downtown Eastside and surrounding communities.
The move means permanent staffing, continuous oversight, and a long-term focus on keeping organized crime off the streets. For residents and businesses, that’s a promise of more consistency and accountability.
Province and Feds Must Follow Through
The City can only go so far. Despite progress, repeat offenders continue to cycle through the justice system and back onto the streets.
Mayor Sim stressed that while Vancouver is investing heavily in solutions, the province and federal government now need to step up to keep violent criminals behind bars and give frontline workers the backing they need.
The numbers show what’s possible when resources are properly deployed. But without stronger sentencing and follow-through from higher levels of government, there’s a risk of sliding backwards.
What’s Next: VanStat
Looking forward, Sim announced a new accountability program called VanStat.
Adapted from the widely used “CompStat” model in North America, VanStat will track data across city departments, including police, fire, sanitation, housing, arts, and business services—so the public can clearly see results.
If approved by Council on October 8th, the program will start as a pilot in the West End, Downtown, Strathcona, and Mount Pleasant before expanding city-wide.
“This is about breaking down silos and holding everyone accountable,” said Councillor Lenny Zhou, who will introduce the motion.
A Turning Point for Vancouver?
For the first time in years, the Downtown Eastside is seeing measurable improvements in safety, public health, and community wellbeing.
Mayor Sim’s strategy shows that when the City invests in frontline services, change happens. Now, with crime at a 23-year low, the next step is clear: higher levels of government must do their part to ensure those causing the most harm aren’t simply released back onto the streets.
Because for Vancouver residents, the expectation is simple, progress made should be progress kept.
