B.C. festivals re-examine security following Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy
Pinoy Festival in Burnaby to proceed with increased safety measures while others will revisit plans
Several B.C. events are moving forward with increased security measures following the recent tragedy at a Filipino street festival in Vancouver.
In June, the Pinoy Festival in Burnaby will be marking its third year celebrating Filipino culture and community.
Organizers said the event will have a different dynamic this year.
"It's a way for us to heal," said Lester de Guzman, one of the festival's directors. "To help our community members to recover from the tragedy and also rise from the ashes."
Eleven people were killed and dozens more were injured after an SUV drove into a crowd at the Lapu-Lapu Day block party on April 26. Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder.
De Guzman said the Pinoy Festival, which is held at the outdoor Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, will have increased security, volunteers and first-aid responders.
De Guzman said despite the recent tragedy, there has been overwhelming support for the group to move forward with the event.
"The Filipino community is resilient and also very proud of their culture and also our life here in Canada, and that's, I think, worth celebrating," said de Guzman.
The provincial government has appointed a former chief justice to conduct a review of event safety measures and provide recommendations for future events following the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy.
The City of Vancouver is also conducting its own internal review on event safety, with a preliminary report due next week.
'Renewed scrutiny' on security
Festival organizers across Metro Vancouver and B.C. also said the tragedy will not stop people from gathering and celebrating this summer.
During each of the three nights of the annual Honda Celebration of Light, about 400,000 people flood Vancouver's West End and Kitsilano neigbourhoods.
Paul Runnals, one of the event's executive producers, said organizers will revisit their safety plan with "renewed scrutiny" this year.
"We don't take it lightly," said Runnals.
He said he hopes to be included in the province's review on event safety to discuss and share expertise.
In Kelowna, security at summer festivals also may look a bit different.
Renata Mills, the executive director of Festivals Kelowna, said the organization is working on adjusting its security plans.
"We definitely started thinking about, what if the worst happens?"
Organizers are considering the use of physical barriers, such as cement barricades.
"It's a great reminder for us as event producers to think about the logistical pieces behind worst-case scenarios," said Mills.