Suzanne Anton showed up at the Vancouver Police Board last Wednesday.
Some of you may have read my online story about the NPA city councillors unprecedented visit.
The topic?
The Stanley Cup riot.
What you didnt readI couldnt fit it in the storywas why she continues to criticize Mayor Gregor Robertson about the riot and not Police Chief Jim Chu, who was in charge of the Vancouver Police Departments operational plan June 15.
Ill get to her explanation for this in a few paragraphs.
First, some context: Anton believes Robertson is responsible for inviting thousands of people downtown to the so-called fan zones and, therefore, should take responsibility for the crowds overwhelming the police.
Shes also upset that a report didnt go before council with costs or challenges of setting up the fan zones prior to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Canucks and Bruins.
Shes gone so far to call the debacle that erupted downtown Robertsons riot.
But the former Crown prosecutor, who worked with Chu many years ago, has nothing but praise for the chief, saying he and his officers did an outstanding job getting the rioters under control.
I caught up with Anton at the Cambie Street police precinct after she spoke to the police board.
Me: Youve been critical of the mayor, but not the chief. Why not?
The chief did the best he could. He did a good job with the resources that he had.
Me: So public safety is his job?
Public safety is his job. (An interesting answer since the mayor wrote in an op-ed earlier this month in the Vancouver Sun that he was ultimately responsible for public safety.)
Me: So why not criticize the chief then?
I think I just answered you. I think he did the best job he could with the resources that he had. I think its up to all of usthe city, the police boardto make sure police are adequately resourced. If were going to invite a 150,000 people downtown, youve got to make sure that youve got a good public safety plan in place.
Me: We just heard in the police board meeting thatas clarified by police board member Glenn Wongthe operational plan for the day of June 15 was the chiefs responsibility.
Yes, indeed.
Me: So you think he did a great job, but youre still critical of the mayor?
Im here today to address police board issues and policing issues. What I think that the police board and the city need to ensure for future Game 7s, which we could very well have is to make sure the police have the resources that they need.
One other thing: Anton is running for mayor against Robertson in November. If Anton wins, she will become chairperson of the police board. Or, in other words, the police chiefs boss.
Last Wednesdays police board meeting was the last of the summer. Council finishes up its meetings this week before the summer break. Expect a riotous election campaign come September.
mhowell@vancourier.com
Twitter: @Howellings
