WATCH: The bone-dry conditions in Vancouver are amplifying the safety concerns for tomorrow night’s opening of the Honda Celebration of Light fireworks competition, Julia Foy reports.
As the Annual Honda Celebration of Light is about to light up the skies over English Bay this Saturday, Vancouver police say there will be more officers on patrol to control the crowds. With more people expected to attend, Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer says there will be a large number of officers in the crowds, as well as marine officers on police boats.
“Visible presence of police officers decreases the chances of an alcohol induced fight,” says Palmer.
The Director of Transportation in Vancouver, Jerry Dobrovolny, says the city is recommending walking, transiting or biking to the celebration, because finding parking will be a hassle. There will also be more Transit buses and trains operating on firework days. With the dry summer we have been having, Vancouver Park Board general manager, Malcolm Bromley, is reminding the public about the ban on smoking cigarettes around the parks and beaches.
“Police officers will be giving $250 tickets to anyone caught smoking by the parks or beaches,” Bromley says.
China will be kicking off the celebration on Saturday, followed by Brazil on July 29, and Canada on Aug 1.
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