People passing by or going to work stop to write notes of apology for last nights rioting, looting and vandalism on plywood sheets boarding up the Sears/Hudson Bay store on Granville and Georgia in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, June 16, 2011. The riots started after the Vancouver Canucks lost the Stanley Cup to the Boston Bruins at Rogers Arena, June 15, 2011. UPI/Heinz Ruckemann |
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He said arrangements have also been struck with various police agencies in neighboring jurisdictions to deal with rioters and staunch the flow of people into Vancouver by closing transit systems.
To accommodate fans who want to congregate for major events, Robertson said the city will open its 23 family-oriented community centers to watch events on television.
The investigation into the June riots is still going on and 75 people have been charged with more than 200 offenses so far. Some of the alcohol-fueled crowd of about 150,000 people erupted into violence when the Vancouver Canucks lost the championship game to the Boston Bruins.
The Canucks have already secured a playoff berth this season.