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Vancouver’s first kick at the can as a FIFA men’s World Cup host was a success, say front line workers and organizers.
Saturday marked the first of seven games at B.C. Place, with Australia and Turkey facing off.
The game, which saw Australia’s Socceroos win 2-0, tested the city’s capacity for a men’s World Cup match free of major incidents.
Hosting a global event brings a myriad of security concerns — terrorism, rioting and conflict, and increased risk of fraud, theft and human trafficking.
Years went into planning for the World Cup, and the set up around the city took months. Meanwhile Vancouver police prepared to manage the longest and most complicated policing task they’ve ever faced.
Following the first game day, Vancouver Police Department reported that the overall atmosphere on the streets was positive and they only made two arrests related to the event.
One arrest, at the PNE fan zone, was of a person who had breached unrelated court conditions, The other was at B.C. Place.
“One person was … far too intoxicated to be at the match and they refused to leave B.C. Place stadium. And so they were arrested for intoxication in a public place and held until sober,” said Sgt. Adam Donaldson.
On game day, multiple streets around the stadium were closed to vehicles. Fans of both countries held marches to the stadium.
Donaldson said police worked with the organizers ahead of game day.
“We had police officers walking with them, and there was really no problems whatsoever besides traffic disruptions.”
Local anti-violence group Good Night Out — which works to prevent and respond to sexual assault — deployed support teams to fan zones across the city and although they witnessed many highly intoxicated partiers amid a heavy police presence, they didn’t deal with any serious, high-risk incidents.
The organization’s street team members report they collectively approached and supported about 200 people of all genders, who appeared over-intoxicated or otherwise in need of extra support.
“The city has been preparing for this for a long time and all of us went into the first night not really knowing what to expect and overall, [we are] so far pleased with people and how they showed up,” said Good Night Out spokesperson Stacey Forrester.
TransLink said buses and SkyTrains ran smoothly Saturday evening. Increased service meant trains departed every two minutes.
“Nothing major at all on transit in terms of incidents or in terms of delays … everyone was really respectful,” said spokesperson Anita Bathe.
FIFA was pleased too, and reported no major incidents.
“Things went so well, you know, from the entry and the spectator route into the stadium. The match inside the stadium was absolutely world class … [and] coming out, it was just an electric atmosphere,” said Jessie Adcock, the host committee lead.
