Vancouver police ramping up public presence after U.S. strikes on Iran

A Vancouver Police Department patch is seen on an officer's uniform in Vancouver, on Jan. 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Police in Vancouver are deploying extra officers to sites throughout the city in the aftermath of U.S. strikes on Iran Saturday night.

The overnight strikes on three Iranian facilities came following a week of attacks exchanged between Israel and Iran, and amid stalled negotiations with the United States regarding Iran’s efforts to produce enriched nuclear material.

“Conflicts in the Middle East are thousands of kilometres away, but they reverberate closely in our diverse community and impact many peoples’ sense of safety. We are working with all community members to listen and respond,” a statement from the Vancouver Police Department Sunday morning said.

Presence will be ramped up at sites throughout the city including “certain places of worships, cultural and community centres, and diplomatic buildings,” the department said. Officers will also be deployed to popular protest sites to make sure rallies and gatherings “remain lawful.”

The move comes as Prime Minister Mark Carney calls for parties to “return immediately to the negotiating table,” and for a “diplomatic solution to end this crisis.”

With files from CTV News’ Charlie Buckley