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City and Vancouver Police Department release preliminary report: Joint Review of Outdoor Special Events Planning and Safety

May 16 2025 –

The City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) have initiated a joint review of planning processes and safety protocols for City permitted special events in outdoor public spaces, following the tragic events after the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party on April 26, 2025.

The joint review consists of a Preliminary Report (624 KB), released today, which will be followed by a Final Report later this summer. Today’s Preliminary Report focuses on three key areas:

  • Section One outlines in detail how the City currently supports special events organizers, coordinating a multi-agency effort involving multiple City departments, police, fire and a range of external agencies and partners.
  • Section Two examines how the prescribed special event planning process was applied to the 2025 Lapu Lapu Day Block Party. Based on the documents reviewed, the report suggests that the standard special event planning process was followed, all the requirements were met, and the planning process included all the relevant partners.
  • Section Three outlines preliminary immediate and potential future changes that can be implemented to ensure special events remain safe in the future. For example, new mobile vehicle barriers will be used at select special events based on specific criteria to reduce the risk of vehicle-related incidents, whether accidental or intentional.

The City and VPD will issue a Final Report that will expand on these areas as new information becomes available. The Final Report will also provide a more in-depth analysis of key themes, including:

  • A deeper analysis of existing regulations, policies, and procedures for planning outdoor special events.
  • Recommendations for regulatory or procedural changes to address intentional and unintentional vehicle incursions.
  • Considerations for broader public realm design and management to enhance public safety.

The Final Report will be issued to the public no later than August 27, 2025.

The Province's related Commission of Inquiry report on public event safety is due on June 30, 2025, and is expected to provide additional guidance on enhancing event safety. That guidance will be a consideration for the final City and VPD report and will inform future event planning.

Link: Joint Review of Outdoor Special Events Planning and Safety: Preliminary Report (624 KB)

For the latest information on the City’s response and available support and resources, please visit: vancouver.ca/lapulapu.