Organizers of the Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival say participants and spectators can expect enhanced security measures at this year’s parade to celebrate the Lunar New Year. At a news conference hosted by the Chinese Benevolent Association to promote the festival and parade, organizers said last year’s deadly vehicle attack at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival in South Vancouver had prompted an increase in the VCSF’s security budget. “We closely work with city hall and the (Vancouver Police Department) to enhance all the measures around security issues,” said Frank Huang, coordinator of the VCSF Committee. “I hope with all the new things we are doing it will be a safe and happy event in Chinatown.” The parade is one of the largest annual events in the city, drawing thousands of participants and spectators. Traditionally, the VPD has had a major visible presence at the parade, controlling traffic and monitoring the crowd. “We will have additional officers deployed for the event at traffic points. You’ll see them in uniform, some might not be in uniform,” said Const. Megan Lui. “We are hoping it will be a safe event for spectators and families to come on down.” At other large events held since a driver plowed an SUV into the Lapu Lapu Day Festival crowd, killing 11 people and injuring scores of others, the city has deployed anti-vehicle barriers at key entry points. Lui said those devices will also be used to protect access points along the 1.3-kilometre parade route in Chinatown on Sunday, Feb. 22. Huang said there will be a control room with live camera feeds from the parade route so organizers can monitor the event in real time. Depending on the weather, as many as 100,000 people could descend on Chinatown for the 52nd annual parade. The VCSF will also feature numerous other cultural events and activities to ring in the Year of the Horse.
