Live on the Drive: Broadway Skytrain Station

I spent some time yesterday perched on a stool at Blendz, attempting a little work and wanting a slight change of scenery from Waves - my usual Commercial Drive branch office.
Blendz itself makes decent coffee and the service is always very pleasant, but man, especially on a dull, day like yesterday was, that is a bleak place to people watch. That particular corner is a true hotbed of crime. It is littered with school-aged kids, many with babies, who should be in school. There was even a dealer who had set up shop in the cafe, dealing right in the store!
One would think that, after the repeat stabbing incident a couple of weeks back, there would be a stronger police presence looming about, but that didn't seem to be the case.
What's with this corner? Perhaps it needs a smudging.
Those who remember that corner when there was a billard hall will recall that even then it felt like a troubled place. Although I liked it when that pool hall started selling used books, too. Might have even bought a hot dog there.

News: Two SkyTrain stations closed Tuesday night after body found on tracks

By Kelly Sinoski,
Vancouver Sun

The Commercial Drive and VCC Clark SkyTrain stations were closed Tuesday night after an accident on the tracks.

TransLink spokesman Drew Snider said a body was found on the tracks under the articulated joint of a two-car train at 8:20 p.m. The cause of the incident is not known.

The incident is under investigation.

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

News: Fatality at Skytrain Station Slows Service

Jan, 17 2008 - 1:10 AM
VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980) - The Broadway Skytrain Station has reopened and service has returned to normal. Skytrain was running turnback trains at both Main and Nanaimo Stations with a bus bridge linking Nanaimo with Broadway and another between Main and Broadway.
The issue began just before 9 o'clock when a passenger fell onto the tracks as a train entered the station.The unidentified person did not survive the incident.

Mayor's Millennium Line Survey – Have Your Say

Mayor Sam Sullivan invites residents, businesses and community organizations to provide their views about plans to complete the Millennium Rapid Transit Line from VCC Station to Central Broadway - and ultimately UBC.

Click here to take the survey

Disclaimer: this is a qualitative survey of website visitors. Results are not considered as scientific.

>> Email a friend about this survey

Why complete the Millennium Line? (pdf)

Public Invited to Provide Views on Millennium Line Completion

Survey supports three phase public involvement process: Sullivan

Mayor Sam Sullivan and Vancouver Councillors Peter Ladner and Suzanne Anton today invited residents, businesses and community organizations to provide their views about plans to complete the Millennium Rapid Transit Line to Central Broadway - and ultimately UBC.

An on-line survey at www.mayorsamsullivan.ca is part of a three phase public involvement process for the Millennium Line completion announced in July.

“In addition to promoting sustainable development, completion of the Millennium Line will create economic opportunities, support EcoDensity and increase access to the Broadway corridor, health services and the University of British Columbia,” said Mayor Sullivan. “Making Vancouver one of the world’s most sustainable communities is one of the five goals we have established for our government. Completing the Millennium Line is Vancouver’s top transit infrastructure priority.”

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Stolen: Nishiki Barbarian (Broadway Skytrain Station)

Older, roughed-up hybrid 18 speed with an odd-looking uni-pole bottom bracket and cage-type rear wheel bracket, uncommon.
Color: Lime green
26 inch frame (i think)
Has a broken drink holder and a black carrying rack on the back.
Not a valuable bike, but essential to the owner for commuting.
Stolen on Friday, Nov. 2 between 5pm and 10pm from the bike rack outside Shoppers Drug Mart.

If you have seen it or someone attempts to sell it to you, please contact the owner at 604-788-8340 or srduncan@shaw.ca

News: Vancouver Police Issue Warrants for Alleged Drug Dealers

Neal Hall, Vancouver Sun

Published: Friday, October 19, 2007

VANCOUVER - Arrest warrants have been issued for 38 people after an undercover operation targeting drug dealing in the Downtown Eastside and Broadway SkyTrain station, Vancouver police said today.

"We have 17 of these 38 individuals in custody," Insp. Dean Robinson, in charge of the gang squad and drug section, said during a news conference.

Police began the roundup Wednesday and are still looking for some suspects, he said.

Most of the drugs purchased were crack cocaine and marijuana, Robinson said, noting police are seeing less heroin available on the street.

"These individuals prey on addicts, they prey on the mentally ill and they destroy individuals, families and communities," the inspector said.

The operation, codenamed Tyke 3, was the third buy-and-bust operation involving undercover operators this year. It ran from Oct. 2 to Oct. 12, with a week spent solely targeting the Commercial Drive area near the Broadway SkyTrain station.

Robinson said one of the undercover operators was robbed of cash near the station when he produced money to purchase drugs. The robber grabbed the money, then threatened the undercover officer by saying, "Back off or I'll stab you," the inspector said.

The suspect is in custody facing robbery charges, he added.