August 5,2025
RED FM News Desk
The Vancouver Police Department’s ‘Task Force Barrage’—a $5-million initiative aimed at increasing patrol presence and targeting gangs and violent crime in the Downtown Eastside—will continue beyond its initial August 13 end date.
“We’re confident the program will extend past that deadline, largely due to careful and responsible budgeting,” said Insp. Gary Hiar, the project’s commanding officer, during a July 24 press conference. The update followed a July 17 raid at 339 East Hastings St., where police seized over $2 million in cash and drugs. Originally, the funding was expected to last about six months, but strategic use of resources—primarily overtime—has allowed the task force to continue operating for several more weeks.
When the program launched in February, then–Police Chief Adam Palmer said the small Downtown Eastside area accounted for 30% of Vancouver’s violent crime and nearly half of all shootings. In its first five months, the task force seized 1,145 weapons, made 740 warrant arrests, and filed 492 reports with Crown counsel for possible charges.
Local businesses have welcomed the initiative. The Hastings Crossing Business Improvement Association reported noticeable reductions in serious crime since the task force’s deployment and expressed support for its ongoing presence.
The VPD says it is developing longer-term policing strategies to build on these gains and expects to share more details in the coming weeks.
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