Close X
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
ADVT 
National

Hate crimes, protests, police costs surge since Middle East war: Vancouver police

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 16 Jan, 2024 01:46 PM
  • Hate crimes, protests, police costs surge since Middle East war: Vancouver police

Vancouver Police say the Israel-Hamas war has fuelled hate crimes in the city and sparked far more protests than usual, with policing for the events costing millions. 

Police say they investigated 265 reports of hate crimes in 2023, a 31-per-cent jump from the previous year, including those related to South Asian, LGBTQ+ and Jewish communities. 

Figures released by the department show reports of antisemitism rose 62 per cent last year, with 33 out of the 47 incidents in 2023 happening after Oct. 7, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel. 

Police say they've investigated 50 criminal offences connected to the Israel-Hamas war, including assaults against officers and obstructing police.

Insp. Jeff Neuman says the protests often draw large groups of people with opposing views and create significant volatility because of the emotions involved. 

Since the war started, the department says it has spent $2.5 million in overtime costs alone for a total of $4 million for the entire year. 

Neuman says the police budget was increased to $2 million last year to cover protests, but that was quickly surpassed after the war began. 

“The money will eventually get pulled from our larger budget, then our executive will have to approach the city manager and they’ll have to try to resolve where they can to find the future funding if this continues at this pace.” 

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Suspect facing 7 gun related charges: Richmond RCMP

Suspect facing 7 gun related charges: Richmond RCMP
RCMP in B-C says one person is facing seven gun-related charges, including possession of a loaded firearm and careless storage of a firearm after the search. Police say drug-related charges are pending and the suspect has been released on bail.

Suspect facing 7 gun related charges: Richmond RCMP

Delta Police investigate home invasion

Delta Police investigate home invasion
The Delta Police Department says officers responded to a call on Friday in the 43-hundred block of Cormorant Drive in Tsawwessen. Two people who had been assaulted during the home invasion were taken to the hospital with injuries.

Delta Police investigate home invasion

Father and son stabbed at Surrey Memorial Hospital on Saturday, charges laid

Father and son stabbed at Surrey Memorial Hospital on Saturday, charges laid
On Saturday, at 10:28 p.m., police received a report of a stabbing at Surrey Memorial Hospital. The initial report indicated that two people had sustained injuries and the suspect was being detained by hospital security.

Father and son stabbed at Surrey Memorial Hospital on Saturday, charges laid

Man and woman face murder charges in death of Maple Ridge man Surinderjit Singh

Man and woman face murder charges in death of Maple Ridge man Surinderjit Singh
The province's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says 33-year-old Kimberley Buitenweg and 44-year-old Joseph McWilliam were arrested on Friday and charged with second-degree murder in the death of Surinderjit “Jack” Singh. 

Man and woman face murder charges in death of Maple Ridge man Surinderjit Singh

Several heat records broken over weekend as B.C. gripped by heat, fire, flood risk

Several heat records broken over weekend as B.C. gripped by heat, fire, flood risk
The warning from Environment Canada says a plume of hot air is to remain in place over the area through Thursday, bringing daytime highs to near 30 C and overnight lows near 15 C. Much of the rest of the province's coastal and interior regions remain under special weather statements related to persistent heat that saw temperatures soar above 30 C in many communities on the weekend

Several heat records broken over weekend as B.C. gripped by heat, fire, flood risk

B.C. police watchdog deployed to Vancouver Island after incident in Duncan

B.C. police watchdog deployed to Vancouver Island after incident in Duncan
The man appears to be checking something in the back seat of the black SUV, before turning toward one of two approaching officers. The officer appears to fire a single shot, and the man falls to the ground and begins to turn over before the video ends.

B.C. police watchdog deployed to Vancouver Island after incident in Duncan