Vancouver police say they are disappointed after social media posts showed downtown streets crowded with party-goers on Halloween night, apparently flouting COVID-19 safety protocols.
Spokesman Const. Jason Doucette says it wasn't possible to try to disperse the alcohol-fuelled crowd or issue tickets due to a number of factors.
He says the number of people in downtown grew larger than expected and additional resources were brought in from around the city.
Really cool how Vancouver is just filled with massive idiots congregating on Granville tonight!
— Rosemary Travale (@RosemaryTravale) November 1, 2020
WHY DOESNT ANYONE CARE ABOUT ANYONE ELSE! THIS IS REALLY FRUSTRATING!!! I would like to be able to go see my family SOMETIME NEXT YEAR YOU DINGDONGS pic.twitter.com/7Mv1Fpz14M
Doucette says police made a number of arrests for minor offences, such as causing a disturbance, but there were no reported injuries.
He says police likely won’t have a clear picture of calls for service on Halloween until later today.
On Thursday, B.C.'s chief medical officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, said the province was in a "danger zone" with more than 2,300 active cases of COVID-19 being reported.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 1, 2020.
