Deadly shooting

Susan Jones, thanks for getting this story out so quickly. It will now show up on the home page for four hours. If new developments justify it, I'll renew this flag for another cycle.

I live a few blocks away from where it happened and rode past the scene on the way to work at about 8:30 AM. Everything was blocked off and the forensics team was combing the place. The local media had set up their opposing camps on all four corners of the intersection.

I can't say I'm surprised though... That whole block is kind of a bad scene. It's a bit of a mini-DTES in the middle of a great neighborhood.

But Susan, as a resident of East Van I kind of resent that fact that you brand a vast and vibrant neighborhood as "crime laden". Yes, crime happens close to where I live but it's the same all over the city: when I lived in the West End, some one was shot a few blocks from my apartment. When I lived on South Granville, break-ins happened every few months. However, I'm happier in East Vancouver than I've been in any other neighborhood in the city. 

Maybe you meant the DTES as opposed to East Vancouver?

I might have confused some by my "mini-DTES" comment... I don't live a few blocks from the DTES. I live a few blocks from an intersection that is a little shady (some open drug dealing/use, the odd bit of prostitution).

The Downtown East Side is just that: The east side of downtown Vancouver. It is a relatively small area within Greater Vancouver. It is not, as you write, East Vancouver. Again, East Vancouver is a great area full of young people, families, small business, etc. I think it is one of the most amazing things about Vancouver, so I take issue with it being referred to as "crime laden", and a victim of "crime creep".

Simply put, crime is a part of living in a major city, but Vancouver's crime problem is obviously exacerbated by the complexities of a place like the DTES, which the UN recently called an "Urban Blight".

Anyway, I agree a solution is needed, but I think the solution will come from concerned individuals, groups, and communities who take matters into their own hands (neighborhood watch, etc.) and not necessarily from elected officials. Example: Our Mayor's 'Civil City' program looks to agitate the residents of the DTES and drive more 'crime creep', not curb it.

Susan, is that really the point?

I work in the DTES, and am married to a local health professional who has to work with the outcomes of these types of incidents.  All of Greater Vancouver is prone to illegitimate and questionably moral behaviour. Some areas are worse than others, like any city (not just major cities).  I've lived in Halifax, Toronto and Vancouver and have relatives in major cities across North America and Europe... these incidents and problems are not new to humanity and are correctly labled as 'mishandled' in all cases... 'gangs, poverty, drugs and humanity's oldest profession'... all are seen throughout history.

Yes, we should be outraged. Yes, people will protect and defend thier own back yards, as we've done throughout history. Yes, elected officials should and sometimes do make a difference. Alberta made a gesture to clean up its streets that didn't necessarily work for the better interests of the rest of Canada; New York is a safer place, though their actions could be labeled short-sighted as well...

I'm afraid my point is that pointing fingers from atop a soapbox isn't going to make it better. Rather than chastising a witness/bystander, could we be discussing the outcome of the investigation into this crime, or taking feedback on the clarifying details of the location?

Why is lifting a story from the Sun and posting it on a website considered "fast" and "keeping people informed"?

Susan,

"is that the point" - was in reference to your NIMY comment... I see your response to Phil as a bit childish and not understanding HIS point

I'm agreeing with both you and Phil, overall. 

I am ulitmately saying that your point is taken, and so is Phil's... so lets all get out there and do something rather than get defensive and vie for the last word. Kay?

Hey, Susan Jones, thanks for getting this up so quickly... I'm removing the urgent flag for this story for the time being. If there are any new developments, please let me know.

I don't know why there is a DTES discussion going on here - this happened nowhere near the DTES.  Also, just to clarify, the DTES is most definetely NOT in "the bosom of East Vancouver" (I'd place that as being round about Victoria and Kingsway - about 4 or 5 miles away from the DTES), or indeed in East Vancouver at all.  The DTES (as the name clearly states) is in the east side of the area known as DOWNTOWN.   And yes, as stated upthread, East Vancouver is definetly NOT "crime-laden" anymore than any other area of Vancouver.

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Good Story Susan, Asians are known for being tight lipped and most fear the Police, so it may not be anytime soon we will get any further news on this until a retaliation begins. Sad but true.