Vancouver police budget increased by nearly half a million dollars for beach booze pilot

The Vancouver Police Department has added another $450,000 to its financials, growing the department’s budget for this year to over $415 million.

The Vancouver Police Department has added another $450,000 to its financials, growing the department’s budget for this year to over $415 million.

The additional funding was approved by Vancouver City Council Tuesday as part of a pilot project allowing alcohol on seven beaches in the city.

On Monday, the park board requested a total of $930,000 from the city to operate the pilot, with $450,000 allocated for policing.

Park board commissioner Tom Digby voted against Monday’s motion for the pilot, calling an increased police presence in parks and beaches alarming.

“To me, that was fairly disturbing because I don't think that’s consistent with what we think of in our parks,” he said.

According to data from the VPD, it’s seen an increase in violence at beaches since 2018. At Kitsilano Beach, reported violent incidents increased from four in 2018, to 12 in 2023.

At English Bay, violent calls increased from six in 2018 to 28 last year. The VPD adds that during that five year-period, overall calls for service slowly declined both city wide and at the two beaches.