Event organizers of Vancouver Chinatown Festival say security is their top priority
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/07/2025 (257 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
VANCOUVER – Organizers of the Vancouver Chinatown Festival said security is their top priority in the wake of the Lapu Lapu festival tragedy that killed 11 and injured dozens more in April.
Joey Kwan, executive director of the Vancouver Chinatown BIA, said enhanced safety measures have been in place as the 23rd festival is underway, drawing hundreds of people to enjoy musical performances, marching band and children’s theatre over Saturday and Sunday.
She said festival goers can expect to see heavy police presence throughout Vancouver’s Chinatown and officers will station six security checkpoints. Blue fences have also been set up at the scene to block vehicles from entering.
Dozens of police officers were seen patrolling among crowds on Saturday.
Although Vancouver’s Chinatown was bustling with people, food trucks and live performances on Saturday, the tragedies of the Lapu Lapu festival are still haunting people.
Attendee and Vancouver resident Amber Evans said she tries to get in and out of places quickly since the Lapu Lapu festival. When asked whether heavy police presence makes her feel safe, she said “yes and no.”
“After that happened, do you ever feel safe?” Evans said.
But Vancouver resident Darcy Shoults said seeing tons of police at the event scene makes him feel “quite safe.”
“The Chinese community here is safe as long as we have everything under control. I feel safe here today,” Shoults said.
Shoults said two years ago he attended the Light Up Chinatown Festival, where a triple stabbing took place and left him devastated.
“It was very sad because it just happened in your neighbourhood,” Shoults said.
Blair Donnelly was on a day pass from a psychiatric hospital when he stabbed three people in Vancouver’s Chinatown in September 2023.
Shoults said these attacks do happen, but we can’t let them keep getting in the way of stopping us from coming together to show support and celebrate.
Kwan said officers from the Vancouver Police Department arrived early on Saturday and will stay until the event ends, adding event organizers and volunteers are ready to “deal with the unexpected.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 12, 2025.