Fireworks crowds better behaved in recent years

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – It wasn’t too long ago we called it the “Celebration of Fight”, but a security consultant for the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvment Association says the fireworks crowds in Vancouver have grown up a lot in recent years.

On the 25th anniversary of the event, Dave Jones says the Celebration of Light has become very well managed and the former VPD officer says crowds have become much calmer.

“Back when when I was managing some of this for the police, they could get pretty rowdy,” he tells NEWS 1130. “I don’t recall any major, major events but there was the odd stabbing.”

Jones says fencing and “crowd enclosures” are now used to help improve safety.

“They really take some of the heat out the jostling of the crowds and make it a lot safer to be in that crowd — you’re not going to get a stampede-type reaction if there’s a major incident.”

He also credits better crowd management by the VPD.

“The police have been more and more sophisticated year after year in making it clear that there’s a presence and that violence won’t be tolerated. And I think our recent liquor law changes have contributed as well. There isn’t that desperation and pressure to over-consume at these types of events.”

Jones believes the Stanley Cup riot in 2011 has also played a part in calming the crowds at major events downtown.

“I think all the prosecutions were a wake up call for people — it was the most recorded riot of all time. You can’t go anywhere now without somebody recording you and it just makes it a much higher risk to behave badly.”

After China filled the skies over English Bay last Saturday, Brazil will be delighting fireworks fans with its performance at tonight’s Honda Celebration of Light. Canada wraps things up this coming Saturday.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today