VIOLENT CRIME DOWN IN THE WEST END
Property Crime Rising According to VPD Stats

by John Streit
(click on images to enlarge)

Back on March 21 members of the ‘West End Vancouver’ Facebook group clicked onto a post which showed frightening security video and photo stills of a seemingly all too familiar problem in our neighbourhood - a brazen and costly theft.

The images show what appears to be two men (one with face partially covered) dressed in black calmly walking out of a building on Nelson Street pushing presumably stolen black and white bikes. The post titled WEST END APARTMENT THIEVES by Danny Mac reads:

“Be on the lookout for these men. They stole the building keys of my paraplegic neighbor, then broke into the storage room in our West End building on Nelson Street, Sunday the 15th at 4 a.m., and stole countless valuables from multiple tenants. If you see them, please DM me, comment on this post, or contact the police. The police file number is VA26-47992 if they ask for it. Lock your doors and be safe.”

**SUSPECTED THEFT AT NELSON ST BUILDING CAPTURED ON SECURITY VIDEO** (*FACEBOOK*)

Responses to the troubling Facebook post were fast and furious. Cynthia wrote “This really sucks- especially gross that they targeted a disabled person to take advantage of. I’m so sorry.” Abigail said “This is so sad, I’m so sorry. So disgusting that they’d target a disabled person too, and multiple tenants!?! Wow.” Judi responded “I have a bike and I never ride it because I worry it will be stolen if I take my eyes off it. It takes away the joy of riding a bike. They don't know or care about the negative repercussions of their actions. I hope they get caught and learn from their mistakes.”

The West End Journal reached out to the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) for more information about the crime situation in our neighbourhood and was provided with a comprehensive breakdown.

Property Crime (Break and Enters, Theft of Vehicle, Theft from Vehicle, Theft Under $5,000, Mischief)

In 2024, there were 2,018 incidents.
In 2025, there were 2,053 incidents.
This represents an increase of two percent in 2025 over 2024.

Violent Crime (Robbery, Assault, Sexual Assault)

In 2024, there were 435 incidents.
In 2025, there were 385 incidents.
This represents a decrease of 11 percent when comparing 2025 to 2024.

The VPD says the largest decreases in violent crime in 2025 were assault (down 13 percent) and robbery (down ten percent). “For property crime, there was an eight percent increase in theft under $5,000 in 2025. This category includes thefts of bikes, e-bikes, personal property, and shoplifting,” according to police.

**SUSPECTED THIEVES ON BUILDING SURVEILLANCE CAMERA** *(FACEBOOK)*

Mischief incidents increased by nine percent, including smashed windows and graffiti.

The VPD says foot patrols focusing on street disorder and crime are helping reduce violent crimes. “This has helped prevent not only crime in the West End but also in other neighbourhoods in the downtown core,” police tell TWEJ.

The year over year increase in shoplifting, smashed windows and graffiti is tough to take for local businesses already dealing with a sluggish B.C. economy caused in part by U.S. tariffs and duties, plus people generally spending less, especially at restaurants. Now add to that the global energy turmoil due to the fallout from the U.S.-Israeli led war in Iran.

Teri Smith is executive director of the West End Business Improvement Association (WEBIA) and says members are dealing with street disorder issues like encampments, open drug use, mental health related incidents, and theft.

“Generally speaking, perceptions of safety have declined since the pandemic as incidents of crime and street disorder have increased in the downtown peninsula. The West End BIA started an overnight security patrol three nights a week in 2020, and it was increased to five nights a week and now operates seven days a week to support community safety,” she says.

Smith says the WEBIA is taking other actions. “There was a spate of window smashings and vandalism in 2022/23 in the neighbourhood and we responded by introducing a Business Safety Grant for members experiencing such incidents. The grant helped offset the cost of repairs or with installation of preventative measures. We provided a De-escalation Training Workshop to interested members, and we work with the West End-Coal Harbour Community Policing Centre on conducting commercial visits to share crime prevention information and gather data on recent crime activity,” she says.

**WEST END BIA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TERI SMITH.**

Vancouver Police are encouraging West End businesses and residents to report everything through 911 or the non-emergency line. “They can also use our online reporting system or stop by the West End Community Policing Centre on Davie Street. Documented reports help us identify areas of focus, and our data shows that when more officers are deployed to a specific area, incidents of crime are reduced.”

Smith is finding many businesses are not always reporting street disorder issues and crime. “Therefore, the VPD statistics are not reflecting the full picture of what is happening in the community. The BIA is working on ways to improve reporting and sharing information monthly with the VPD.” She says last year, the BIA advocated for and got a second VPD Neighbourhood Police Officer - basically someone who provides local policing services within specific areas of Vancouver.

Both Constable Jason Doucette (formerly VPD media liason officer) and Constable Matt Ghattas are tasked with engaging with the community, building trust, and developing a detailed understanding of local issues to protect the public. For example, the VPD says they use problem-solving techniques to manage and divert people at risk of reoffending.

With summer around the corner and people flocking to watch the sunset and party at English Bay, expect to see more police officers in the West End.

“Our deployment plan changes as more people head to the beach. We increase foot patrols along Sunset Beach, English Bay, Second Beach, and Third Beach, as well as along arterial streets and alleys leading to the water. Because of this focus on the beaches in recent years, violence has decreased significantly,” according to Vancouver Police.

**MARCH WEST END VPD GEODASH CRIME MAP** *(Vancouver Police)*
*(click to enlarge)*

Smith at the WEBIA says police can only do so much. “There is a much larger conversation needed at the provincial and federal levels regarding appropriate housing, expanded mental health and treatment services and bail reform that are critical to supporting individuals in need along with the health and vitality of our communities,” she says.

She says the BIA has conducted a Community Well-being Survey of member businesses. We hope to share the results with you in a future issue of A Closer Look.