‘Safety ambassador’ attacked in downtown Vancouver, business group says

The statement that represents downtown Vancouver businesses says 1 of its information ambassadors was attacked past weekend.

The Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association, known arsenic Downtown Van, said nan incident happened while 1 of its downtown information ambassadors was physically attacked “during a business involving a man who was being fierce towards a personnel of nan public.”

In a statement, nan statement said nan ambassador called 911 and constabulary arrived and arrested nan man. The information ambassador suffered insignificant injuries and is expected to afloat recover, it said.

Vancouver constabulary said they were called to Drake and Hornby streets astir 10 a.m. connected Saturday, to reports a man had assaulted a brace of random bystanders and was moving astir and yelling successful nan mediate of nan street.

“When our officers arrived moments later, nan man appeared to beryllium chasing nan information ambassador,” VPD Sgt. Steve Addison said successful an email.

Addison said nan suspect’s behaviour appeared to beryllium nan consequence of “drug intoxication.”

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One of nan victims near nan segment earlier constabulary arrived and nan different declined to participate successful nan investigation, he added.

“Should nan victims travel guardant and take to participate further successful nan investigation, we tin see forwarded recommendations to Crown counsel that nan fishy beryllium charged pinch assault,” Addison added.

Downtown Van says its information ambassadors patrol 90 blocks of nan downtown halfway wherever they enactment arsenic “eyes and ears” and attraction connected providing a safe presence.

The ambassadors are licensed information guards who are trained successful first aid, mental health first assistance and conflict resolution, and liaise pinch businesses, patrol basking spot parkades and parks and connection a safewalk service.

Downtown Van says its unit person witnessed an “alarming magnitude of hostility and aggression” successful nan cardinal business district, and person documented 40 incidents, 7 of them physical, since July.

The group has launched a run to unit each governmental parties competing successful nan provincial predetermination to prioritize nationalist safety.

“The position quo isn’t working, and our businesses, employees, and citizens are paying nan price,” nan statement said. “We cannot proceed down this path.”