Social media used to find Good Samaritan, hunt rioters

Police are using social media and tips from the public to identify some of those responsible for the riots - and it turns out they've been in trouble before.

CTV British Columbia Extended: Cleanup after riots

Workers are seen cleaning up and boarding broken windows that were damaged during the riots in Vancouver.

CTV British Columbia: Shannon Paterson on cleanup

The hooligans who trashed the city left a huge mess behind, but volunteer cleaners have been working overtime to get the city back to pristine condition.

CTV Ottawa Extended: Vic Toews reacts to the riot

The minister of public safety answers questions from the media regarding the Vancouver riot, saying he is disappointed and quite saddened. He also discusses the importance of having a strong police presence.

Power Play: Christy Clark, B.C. premier

The B.C. premier says the rioters will be held accountable for their actions. She also says they will get the stiffest sentence possible.

CTV News Channel: Chief Const. Jim Chu speaks

Vancouver Police Chief Const. Jim Chu says criminals and anarchists disguised as Canucks fans are responsible for the destruction in the city. Chu says officers made hundreds of arrests and received 120 tips.

CTV News Channel: Police speak with media

Vancouver police say they have made numerous arrests and several officers were injured in the riots they say were carried out by criminals taking advantage of the opportunity.

CTV News Channel: Clint Burnham, Simon Fraser U.

A social media expert with Simon Fraser University says social media is such a large part of daily life that people won't think twice about posting pictures of themselves in illegal situations.

CTV Edmonton: Bill Fortier on local reactions

Several Edmontonians who were in Vancouver for the Stanley Cup game are returning home Thursday. Locals who were in downtown Vancouver Wednesday night following game seven describe a frightening scene after riots broke out.

Extended: Mayor Gregor Robertson reacts

Speaking in a media scrum, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson calls the riots despicable and shameful.

CTV British Columbia Extended: Fan reaction

Fires burn on the streets of Vancouver and angry fans throw debris at the crowd and at riot police. One fan says it's not the reputation Vancouver needs after the Olympics.

CTV News Channel: Online response comes swiftly

CTV's Merella Fernandez takes a look at some of the photos of rioters that have turned up online following the violence post-game riots in Vancouver.

CTV News Channel: Robert Glass, president

The president of the Downtown Vancouver Association says the behavior after the game was disgraceful and doesn't represent the city.

CTV News Channel: Ben Tuyp, eyewitness

A man who witnessed the chaos in downtown Vancouver says the riot was unlike anything he had experienced, and explains how a small portion of the city's population was involved in the destruction.

CTV News Channel: Hedy Fry, Liberal

A Liberal MP says the behaviour of the rioting hooligans does not reflect that of the Vancouverites, as most hockey fans were likely gracious in defeat.

CTV News Channel: Robert Gordon, criminologist

A member of Simon Fraser University says the rough crowd can be divided into two basic groups, where one is made up of anarchists, and the other acted as an audience, as they did nothing during the riot.

Canada AM: Bob Whitelaw, investigator

A member of the investigation team into the 1994 Vancouver Stanley Cup riot says this time around, police in the city were standing around and not moving to stop the rebels.

Canada AM: Rebecca Bollwitt, miss604.com

A popular Vancouver blogger says she is calling on people to upload photos and videos in attempt to help authorities catch the looters.

CTV British Columbia Extended: Assessing damage

A representative from a glass company says crew got the call to cleanup and fix property right after the game ended.

Watch: See all Videos in the Player

A A | Email This Email | Print | Comments (195) Tweet

People have turned to Facebook and other social media to express their opinions on the riots in Vancouver.

View Larger Image

Selected Comment

I was planning a vacation to Vancouver since I heard such awesome things about Canadians (and Vancouver due to the Olympics last year). I have officially scrapped my vacation plans. Not sure where I'll go, if anywhere, but it will definitely not be to Canada.

TJ

Angry Vancouver residents call for public to ID rioters

talking about
Social media used to find Good Samaritan, hunt rioters

Got something to say?

CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Thu. Jun. 16 2011 9:46 PM ET

Amid the search for the criminals, hooligans and drunkards involved in the Vancouver hockey riots, Canadians are also using social media to find the identity of a lone man who was attacked for trying to stop the mob from damaging a department store.

"Canada needs more people with his character and courage," federal Heritage Minister James Moore wrote on his Twitter page.

Moore linked to a YouTube video, which shows a man in a black shirt yelling at rioters to back away from a Bay store.

He is then attacked by a group of about 10 young men, who punch him until he falls to the ground, at which point they begin kicking him.

Eventually two people protect him and help carry him away.

Moore asked anyone who knows the man to contact him.

There has been a mountain of video and photos of Wednesday's riots posted online in the last 24 hours, and rioters may have discovered some unwelcome evidence of their actions when they logged into Facebook on Thursday.

A social media movement has taken root in the aftermath of the chaos, with angry, embarrassed citizens posting images online and asking for help identifying the perpetrators.

The Facebook page titled "Vancouver Riot Pics: Post Your Photos" had almost 25,000 likes and more than 60,000 comments by Thursday morning.

The creator of the site urged users to post any pictures of the riots that could be used as criminal evidence, and asked viewers to tag anyone that they recognized.

Other users provided information on how to email photos directly to the Vancouver Police Department.

The site showed pictures of violent confrontations, burning cars and individuals carrying out vandalism, often with nothing hiding their identity.

One posting consisted of a screen grab from a Facebook page where the user claimed in a status update to have knocked a police officer to the ground, "flipped some cars, burnt some smart cars, burnt some cop cars, I'm on the news."

A friend quickly posted a comment, warning the poster that the status could be used as evidence.

CTV legal analyst Steven Skurka said that such a comment would no doubt launch a police investigation into its validity.

"A voluntary digital confession can be a powerful piece of evidence against someone," he told CTV.ca Thursday night.

Skurka says social media allows police to proceed in their investigation at an accelerated pace.

"There are two novel features of social media in gathering evidence. It involves the public in the process, and how quickly it allows police to investigate," he said.

Another Facebook page, titled "Canucks fans against the 2011 Vancouver Riots" had more than 3,000 likes by Thursday morning.

Hundreds of people had commented on the site, criticizing the rioters and arguing that the majority of Vancouverites were not involved and did not approve.

A page set up on the micro-blogging website Tumblr, dubbed "Vancouver 2011 Riot Criminal List," also called on users to help police.

"Lets (sic) hold people accountable for their actions!" stated a posting on the page. "All right everyone, lets start posting pictures of the idiots setting fires and looting. Let's get identifying these criminals."

Rebecca Bollwitt, a blogger and Vancouver resident who lives just a few blocks from where the destruction took place, called on Vancouver residents to stand up for their city.

"Everyone out there had a camera, everyone out there had a phone and they were taking pictures of all this happening, so hopefully we can use that and crowd source the information the police will need to bring a little bit of justice to this town," she told CTV's Canada AM.

She said despite the bitter rivalry that developed between the Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks during their seven-game series, the focus for many fans had shifted away from the outcome of the game.

Now, Bollwitt said, many Vancouverites were no longer angry at the Bruins, but instead were furious with the rioters and the headlines they had made around the world.

She urged witnesses to come forward.

"If you recognized an employee, a colleague or anyone in these photos causing the destruction, you could tag it or leave a comment on Facebook just to kind of get the message out there to identify these people," she said.

The Vancouver Police Department posted a message on Twitter Wednesday night saying they would be releasing information Thursday on how citizens could submit evidence.

Responding to a post from a poster called @jonnypicture, the VPD said "Please hold onto your footage until we are at the point of gathering evidence. We appreciate it!"

Officers used citizen-submitted evidence in the days after the 1994 riots when the Canucks lost to the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup final.

At that time, police set up kiosks in public areas, and asked residents to help attach names to the anonymous people in the pictures.

Another Facebook group was designed as a rallying point for Vancouverites hoping to help with the cleanup on Thursday morning.

Roughly 10,000 people had indicated they planned to attend the event.

Comments are now closed for this story

Barry
said
0 0

The Canucks lost the series and the local police lost control of the situation. Poor showing all around for Vancouver. Now they have to try and restore their tarnished image.

nina
said
0 0

Nice uniform. Where were you?? Stop with the nonsense talk. We are adding this video and that video - WHO CARES! and fully committed ?? clearly not. If the law is broken under your nose, the lawkeeper - you should be FIRED, if not taken to task AND fired. Perhaps you should have been out there cleaning up this morning. We were.

sheela
said
0 0

The Mayor should have been there with dustpans and brooms, she does NOT have an answer WHY was this not prevented. "Does not happen again" WHY DID IT HAPPEN. Is this woman ever a true politician. Clearly none of them thought "ahead". How much of the taxpayers dollars go to their paychecks? Fluff talk. CALL IN THE ARMY AHEAD of time if Van PD "could not handle it" as she says. She already gave up the streets. Where is her head? Geezuz.

nina
said
0 0

Whoever this guy is, he is surely a great politician, passing the buck to others. Bottomline, the Mayor, Premier, Chief of Police (where is he in all this by the way?) screwed up. ROYALLY. Lack of preparedness is putting it mildly. If anyone has to be blamed, it is the Chief of Police. He/she was clearly sleeping at the wheel!

Sharon Kingston
said
0 0

Boston and community apparently has a lot more class and sense of respect and responsibility than the instigators of all the willful damage done to the city of Vancouver... Makes one even happier that Boston won! Right now I am not feeling that proud to be Canadian....Why is it that the police are always being criticized no matter what they do! Damned if they do and damned if they don't.....? Personally I thought they handled an awful situation the best way that they could given the circumstances.

Stewart Port Coquitlam
said
0 0

Let's be clear about something "fans" do not go downtown with balaclavas, gas masks and molotove cocktails. The instigators premeditated this and went armed for battle. While there were certainly fans who encouraged the behaviour, whether by stupidly cheering/chanting for the morons or simply giving them an audience, they were not the match that ignited this mess.

Grace
said
0 0

I wish people would stop saying that the riots were because of the hockey game. The riot wasn't because of the hockey game, the game was the excuse to get into a large crowd where chaos could ensue and cause even more damage.

SW Calgary Guy
said
0 0

In places like Singapore the punishment for an act like this would be jail time and CANING! Perhaps if our justice system allowed for that sort of punishment the hooligans would think twice about their actions

Stargod
said
0 0

Even though I live about 8000 miles away from Vancouver & in a foreign country, today I am embarrassed to be a Canadian. there is no one who seriously promotes Canada more than I. They must bring all who were involved even as accessories to stiff criminal justice before I will be able to hold my head up high for Canada, again.

Debbie Maksymchuk
said
0 0

I was disappointed with the Canuck's losing the Stanley Cup last night, but not nearly as disappointed as I was with the riots that occurred afterwards. If they were real fans they would have felt pride for the team and for the outstanding way they had played all year long. It was appalling behavior and an embarrassment to Canada.

faster
said
0 0

have the police use "water guns" filled with the blue dye banks use for robberies...they can just stand there and squirt these losers and everyone around them can identify them the next day. cost effective and do-able. if you are breaking the law, the law is "tagging" you to be dealt with later...

robin hood
said
0 0

Interesting�Chu stuck on summarizing how long it took to subdue the crowd�compairing it to former riots! Almost like it�s an experiment, kind of like Toronto wow! Who�s conducting that experiment I wonder?

Dennis Johnson
said
0 0

When they have all the people rounded up and the final price tag is figured out, split the bill evenly amongst them and let them pay for any bill that the city gets including any lawsuits and maybe the next time someone wants to be an idiot they�ll think twice and if not let them have the next bill. Dennis

Lithotogy
said
0 0

So what happened to the very few thugs arrested in 1994? NOTHING!!

BCBatman
said
0 0

The article says that 60,000 Facebook users commented on the site, but it appears there have been only 5 pictures posted. Typical social media; thousands with nothing useful to contribute but lots to say. Way to step up Vancouver.

Sarah
said
0 0

ALL OF YOU HOOLIGANS who "egged on", cheered, and fanned the flames of the individuals lighting fires and throwing projectiles @ First Responders last night ARE EQUALLY RESPONSIBLE as those who lit those fires, kicked and beat civilians!!! SHAME ON YOU. I hope you are disciplined severely to the full extent of the law and learn your lesson.

Maureen
said
0 0

Thank-you Canucks for making us proud. It was a great series, super games and really hard work. You did not lose the game you came in second in the world. Yahoooo! The entertainment was fantastic. You deserve a long holiday, hit the links. I will be waiting patiently for next year.

robin hood
said
0 0

Yes please police us more! Tasers for cattle prods�moo!

Michele
said
0 0

Make the ones responsible pay. At least the ones that have been caught. I do not believe that The Canucks are responsible for this in any way. You can't call Scum fans!

Michele
said
0 0

Make the ones responsible pay. At least the ones that have been caught. I do not believe that The Canucks are responsible for this in any way. You can't call "Scum" fans!

Frank
said
0 0

I agree that our Justice System will only give these goons a slap on the wrist but they may find themselves watching thier plane leave for the US as the chances of getting into the United States with a criminal record is slim

Anthony
said
0 0

What the police excels in is making excuses. As a police lady spokeswoman said on TV, we will learn for the future. We did have riots in Vancouver before, and the future was yesterday !

give me a break
said
0 0

So who goes to a hockey game to watch outdoors in 19 degree weather wearing balaclavas and steel toed boots? Not hockey fans and not your typical Vancouverite. And for those of you who comment that Vancouver does not deserve to have a team just look at the history of riots after hockey games, right Montreal? Edmonton? shall I continue?

Jackie Stirling
said
0 0

If I saw my own son doing wrong in one of these photos, I would turn him in. I hope that if any employers of these morons see them doing wrong in these pix and videos, that they immediately fire them as well. Not one of them deserves to be sheltered or protected. Shame.

Sherri Sudbury
said
0 0

I don't go to hockey games in 20 degree plus weather with a scarf or mask, so these people obviously had an agenda when they went to the city. They shouldn't represent the whole city of Vancouver or the Country of Canada.

Derek
said
0 0

The only thing Vancouver should be embarrassed about was the Canucks performance. It was absolutely disgraceful.

Greg Wollf
said
0 0

Who was that reporter who was trying to make the police chief look incompetent with his aggressive questioning? Seriously, the police did a fantastic job last night and they were as well prepared as they could have been. It's like he said, the police are responsible for a large area and they had no way of knowing that the only riot would be downtown as opposed to somewhere else and they were prepared to respond to anything.

cactusgary
said
0 0

Ah! there is some sense in this world!

Daniel
said
0 0

Did they not learn anything from the Olympics??? What sort of statement is that. The government spent 1 billion dollars on national security and law enforcement to protect the games... all that was provided last night was the police forces of the g.v.r.d. If you read the reports and write ups these people came TO RIOT. Came with weapons, and ignition sources and enough people to be uncontrolled by tasers, night-sticks, and police carrying shields. This destruction was a planned thing and it was impossible to contain this sort of violence and mayhem with the support that they had.

Yves Boisjoly
said
0 0

Job well done on your reporting at "ground zero" Rob Brown!

T.L.
said
0 0

I would hope that every high school, college,university and buisness in Vancouver and the surrounding area's would help to bring these simpletons to justise as well as suspend and or an immediate firing to take place. I also noticed that there was alot of little girls involved as well not just little boys.

Sharon
said
0 0

Our service men are fighting over in foreign countries to help free people and they see this in Vancouver fighting over a lost hockey game. Maybe these troublemakers should be over in any of the foreign countries where they riot all the time and mayb e they would appreciate our great country. It is only a hockey game and they will be others.

Jer
said
0 0

This event, while embarrassing to not only Vancouver, but all of Canada is a representation of everything that's wrong in our society. While riots at European soccer games make this particular riot look not so bad, it has attracted the world's attention. There's no doubt the chaos was started by a bunch of drunk FANS (yes fans) which than opened up the doors for anarchists to join in on the destruction. The RCMP and CSIS need to stop spending so much time on international terrorists and focus on bringing these domestics thugs to justice.

Fan
said
0 0

Bravo to the Vancouver Police - I would have not shown the restraint you showed during the riot. Mowing down the crowd with rubber bullets would have scared the bastards out of there quicker, but I guess that does not necessarily add to public saftey

Pierre Trudeau
said
0 0

Great for tourism. I can hear phones ringing at hotels, and computer mice clicking everywhere, as people cancel their vacation plans to BC.I'm sure the people of Vancouver will try to brush this off as the action of a few hooligans who rioted when they had the chance, when in reality it has far more to do with the unbelievable pressure that this city put's on it younger generation, who see little chance of ever living a decent lifestyle when the average home here cost almost 900K. What chance have they to ever afford that?

Marc
said
0 0

People using their real names and bragging about their criminal acts online?...This is why funding to education needs to be cut across the country. If people are that stupid, let's take that money and put it into something better.

Charmaine Howden
said
0 0

It is truly sad to see educated civilized people acting in such a savage manner, just imagine if all mankind acted this way what mayhem the world would be in, so sad!

Lehey
said
0 0

This would never have happened in Alberta.

JD
said
0 0

Justice ? Are you kidding ?.Only when these morons get 10 years hard labour will there be justice.But that won't happen with our " Justice System "What a bunch of Fools we are to put up with such nonsense.

CalgarySandy
said
0 0

I doubt many of these losers rioting were at the game. I doubt they could afford it. The thousands of fans inside the arena gave Boston a standing ovation for a good win in a good series. Those thousands far outweigh the small number, comparatively, who acted like soccer hooligans.
There is something wrong with a segment of our youth that they seem to wait for any chance at all to go out and get violent. I understand protesting at political events. I do not understand this mindless and pointless behavior that shows they are violent for the sake of being violent and, bad as humans can get, this is not normal.

Christine
said
0 0

The people in Vancouver who took part in this disgusting act are NOT Vancouver Fans! Despite what they may think. They have put Vancouver to shame and showed the Americans that Canadians are sore losers!

Liz
said
0 0

What is really sad is that even if Vancouver did win the cup, these idiots would still riot. The police learned nothing about security from the Olympics? Ridiculous.

Mrs.Harpo
said
0 0

It speaks volumes of how "our Country" is going down hill. It's merely a foretaste of what's to come. Say goodbye to it now so you won't be disappointed later.

Damien in YYC
said
0 0

I've said it over and over again and I will say it again..

This is one of the many reason why we need a license to proceate.

The whole world is going down the crappers and the people who don't give sh!t severly outnumbers the people who do care.
I've lost hope on humanity a while ago and it's not looking any better with each passing day.

lerics
said
0 0

just because they're wearing canuck shirts doesn't mean they're "fans" . anyone can buy a shirt, it's not like we have to prove we're "true fans". Canuck fans don't usually walk around with masks in their pockets "in case of riot" . they might have watched the game, but their intentions afterward were obviously planned. win or lose, we would have had this happen.

Joan
said
0 0

Kudos to the local CTV crew who not only gave excellent coverage, but, also acted as team players assisting in getting the crowd off the street through relaying transit info and regular recommendations for people to go home. Most impressive was their concern for their own crews and for the first responders. Marked contrast to G20 coverage where some of the media seemed to be prime supporters of the anarchists.

gl1437
said
0 0

Im as disgraced as everyone else about the handful of Morons who used last nights Canucks loss as their excuse for rioting.Strangely, our taxes and gas prices are going through the roof, and our gov t then "mis appropriates / wastes millions, and THIS was your excuse for Rioting ??? A Game ? ..Seriously ??

Dee in Ottawa
said
0 0

Unfortunately there is a considerable amount of photographic evidence to prove that persons wearing Vancouver Jersey's were directly responsible for commission of acts of vandalism. Your fan base is not exempt from responsibility. Sadly, some of the fans were part and parcel of the hooligan mob.Just one example: Rioters break the front doors of a Sears department store on Granville Street during the riot following game 7 of the NHL Stanley Cup final in downtown Vancouver, B.C., on Wednesday, June 15, 2011.

Jenny
said
0 0

After seeing how the Toronto Police conducted themselves during the G20 and watching the Vancouver Police deal with the riot last night, I would really like the Vancouver Police to come to Toronto and train our department in crowd control. I thought they did an exceptional job and are an example of what to do right. I was very impressed with their restraint and use of appropriate force. Something the Toronto Police could use a lesson in.

T in AB
said
0 0

@ TJ - who's cancelled their plans to visit Canada...

Can I suggest you not be so closed minded? It is one incident in an otherwise mostly safe country.

If Canadians used that attitude in reference to the US, no one would ever go! Think of your public snipers, your LA riots, your terrorist bombings... then think about quiet Canada with a few hooligans at one incident.

Just saying...

Sandra
said
0 0

I hope the VPD are able to identify the vandals and make examples of them. Send a very clear message THIS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. They have embarrassed themselves, the city and yes...our country. So the Bruins won - they played hard as did our Canucks - cry in your beer, go home and deal! BTW it wasn't Canada vs the U.S., over 50% of the Bruins players are Canadian. Do you think this is how they want their country portrayed?

Ms. Hemper
said
0 0

If the young men that did this destruction, had only smoked some BC BUD, instead of alcohol, it would have been a peaceful end to the game.I'm sure that not all the those young men are violent or destructive people, they just fed off each other. This should not be a black mark against Vancouver, this could have happened anywhere in the world, with this amount of people in the streets. In South America they have killed soccer players on their national teams after losing a game. Vancouver is still a great city and always will be, despite these riots. Just don't allow parking on the downtown streets and board up some of the windows enroute from big events like this. Boys will always be boys!

mike, North vancouver
said
0 0

As a true canucks fan I am astonished that the image of this beautiful west coast city has been ruined by the antics of some unmature lunatics that should have been taught by their parents to be better citizens. After watching footages of last night it is as though there is no difference between a world class city and the streets of brookyn. To all those travellers that are thinking of coming to vancouver I really hope this incident hasnt changed your mind because in the other 364 days of the year this city is the most enjoyable cities in the world. And for those who caused last nights antics should be given a criminal record for what they have done because they do not deserve to be employed if this is how they act.

allan
said
0 0

What is happening to our society when we, and the police just stand back and let criminals and thugs destroy our city businesses and other property. Our liberal society is stuck on stupid and we had better smarten up before we lose all control.

Catcuddler
said
0 0

I think that Vancouver should be very embarassed by their behavior. Since the past predicts the future we all know that Vancouver cannot handle the Stanley Cup finals in their city and the NHL should seriously look at removing their team. Perhaps if the consequences were severe enough, people would act like human beings NOT idiots.

n
said
0 0

I think everyone saying the rioters did this because they are young and therefore stupid/entitled/immature need a reality check. These rioters did not riot because they're young. They rioted because they're stupid! Seriously...how old do you really think a person has to be until they know the difference between right and wrong? Give me a break

Patrick (Okotoks AB)
said
0 0

It's completely shameful for this to happen. I understand this isn't mainly the fans, I'm sure some of them joined in. They should stop putting a TV downtown Vanny during playoffs, control the bar population. This would help to keep the number of people lower downtown Vancouver. This really hurts the reputation of Vancouver Fans, and even Canada. I hope all of these riots are identified

Phil
said
0 0

I had planned on taking my wife to Vancouver for a vacation this year as we had never been there. After seeing this I would not feel safe in this city.
If the police can't protect the city from a bunch of whackaloons, I will vacation somewhere else.

lily
said
0 0

Wow, how disgusting, embarrassing and truly pathetic:( Hey Green-guess you are part of the "smart cookies" eh? Blame the owners of cars? HAHAHA Your theory kind of goes in hand with that of the person who chooses to drink then drives, therefor it is the person that served the alcohol right? Not the ADULT who chose to drink? I'm glad my mama raised this born (in Vancouver) Canadian with a brain, all of those idiots in Vancouver should be ashamed and they will, and here is to hoping social media brings about as many charges to those involved as possible!!!

strumer
said
0 0

responding with violence to the violence it's not a solution. Or You, all Canadian, want to be American

Chimy
said
0 0

Guyz, this is not just about the Game i think, of course it's a shame to see that. But this is an issue of the occidental world. You can see that everywhere now, people are tired about ALL of this (governments, laws who protect the worst people on earth (finance & bankers), unfair wealth). I think for those people it was a good reason to express their discord about this unfair society. We have to blame all of those people, but we have to be smarter than them.

Tamara
said
0 0

After seeing this I am ashamed to be part of the human race! This is beyond despicable. The absolute morons with empty space between the ears should be held totally accountable (financially and persecuted to the fullest extent of the law) for the damage and their criminal behavior. Place them downtown holding a sign saying "I was one of the MORONS who behaved like a savage after the game" Completely beyond understanding!

Emily
said
0 0

The same idiots who caused a lot of the damage were probably the same idiots who came to Toronto for the G20. Put them to work to pay for the damage they've done. It's about time criminals start paying for their behaviour instead of Joe public.

Ontario Friend
said
0 0

I wonder how much this will cost Vancouver in lost tourism revenue. I'm guessing a substantial amount, all from what is now a tainted reputation. So you see Vancouver, what the unfair sting of criticism feels like because you are a large City, and large Cities have large events, and large events attract worthless scum that do nothing but consume valuable oxygen. With empathy- A near Toronto resident.

Green P
said
0 0

As everyone is already saying the rioters� suck so let me add a different angle.The true idiots are the people who thought they scored the best parking spots in downtown Vancouver prior to the game. Really, you parked on a street that was expected to have 100,000 people on it, really. What did you expect; the media has been fueling the crowd with the riot of 94. Of coarse the youth thought this was something to do after the game. I hope they charge the vehicle owners for supplying the ammunition to the riot... plus with the insurance claims on those car you can expect an insurance hike in Vancouver.

Brent
said
0 0

Shoulda brought out the water cannons, rubber bullets, tasers and police dogs.

Pat in Mississauga
said
0 0

Police can collect all the evidence possisble (and they should) but unless the legislators and judges step up to the plate it will mean nothing but a slap on the wrist for the criminals. Forget jail time (unless the violence calls for it). Make everyone identified do hours and hours of community service (cleaning the city up) and pay every penny needed to cover all the damage and the extra security costs. Taxpayers should not have to pick up one dime of this. Mr. Harper are you up to the challenge? How about you Mr Layton?

Jan
said
0 0

It is actions like this from a bunch of poor excuses for humanity that make me glad I no longer live in Vancouver. Some people don't bother to think of the consequences of their actions and will have to pay dearly for what they have done. Let's just hope the punishment fits the crime for a change and they don't just get a slap on the wrist.

Brigit
said
0 0

The men who participated in the riot should be fully investigated for all aspects of their lives as they possibly defraud their workplace or their elderly parents, beat/abuse in some way their wives/girlfriends and children, do and/or deal drugs and are a danger to all of us whereever they are - in a coffee shop, the grocery store, the workplace if just a "game" causes them to act this way in public or at home.

Murray/Winnipeg
said
0 0

Perhaps we should ban drinking from all public places. At least they weren't smoking and endangering the health of others.

harry christoffer
said
0 0

Maybe the NHL should pass a law banning the Canucks from being in the finals. 2 years, two tiots. Way to go Vancouver.

Carol in NB
said
0 0

When my 2 daughters (aged 17 and 14) found out this morning about the rioting in Vancouver, they were absolutely disgusted. They also both said that they hope the rest of the world doesn't paint all Canadians (and all YOUNG Canadians) with the same brush as those wankers. Thankfully, my husband and I have raised 2 great kids who have a good sense of morals and we won't be seeing their faces on Facebook "Wanted" posters for idiotic behaviour such as was displayed last night.Rest assured you little cowardly children responsible for last night....you WILL be caught, and you WILL be held accountable for your actions. If I were your mother, you wouldn't be welcome in my home anymore. Pitiful.

elaine
said
0 0

I think that the riot would have happened even IF Vancouver had won. Some people were looking for an opportunity/excuse to cause mayham.

Bill
said
0 0

Pure assholes! Make them pay! Don't even make excuses about their use of alcohol. Lots of people drink yet would't do what they did! Make them pay!

Concerned Citizen
said
0 0

Here's your chance to put your Crime Policy into Action Mr. Harper. Let's see some stiff punishments for these morons/idiots/hooligans/criminals .List them on the Internet for ten years, make them make a public apology, make them pay the bill for the damages by cash or hard labour, make them do several thousand hours of community service, make them wear t-shirts that says "I am sorry for sullying Canada's reputation and for thrashing Vancouver. Let's see what you are made of. Show Canada you mean business and at least keep one of your Campaign promises--clean up this country and get rid of the bad elements and empower the police to clean up our city.

CdnPolitico
said
0 0

I hope all the folks who proudly mugged for the cameras while torching the city, looting and engaging in violence will laugh as hard and as much when they get hauled to jail. Oh and I hope the folks who appear on the front page of the papers or on the news are seen by their employers and fired.

True Canuck
said
0 0

It's easy to show the rioting and looting and overturned cars all night, but where's the news coverage for the true Vancouverites and Canuck fans who are using their own time to help clean up?Let's give them all a big hand! God Bless you all! If we want to even begin to recover our image in the eyes of Canada and the world, lets get some coverage of the true spirit of Vancouver that has risen out of the aftermath!

Joe
said
0 0

Thank God I live in Toronto. The likelihood of seeing any post cup rioting or celebration in this city is slim to none. At least in this life time. NO Leafs NO!!Great show by both the Canucks and the Bruins!!!

rd
said
0 0

These were not fans these are people who jumped on the bandwagon.. Real fans do not brings trucks downtown to light on fire whether or not the Canucks.

Real fans would say "Great Run guys" We made it to the playoffs.

robert stewart
said
0 0

i hope they catch all punk who did this.. and with any luck the full extent of the law will see them each getting 250.000 fines and 5 years in prison at least..

Sask Fan disappointed
said
0 0

Very Very Bad and a disappointment...The people should be caught and punished and made pay for the damages and then put in jail or deported to wherever they came from...If they are born and raised in Canada then they should go to jail for a very long time. We dont need these kind of people living in Canada....Good Season Canucks keep up the good work and ignore these idiots as they are not fans just trouble makers

M Clark
said
0 0

Everyone who participated in last nights destruction should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.Send in pictures to the police and make statements. But lets talk about the simply stupid people who got in the way of the police trying to do their job. You were repeatedly asked to leave but, no, you had to get your picture taken in front of burning cars and looted stores. You all should be charged with obstruction of justice. Better still if any out there employs one of these stupid people FIRE THEM! Why would you want to have stupid people in your company? As for the young men that said on TV that they were trying to get out and couldn't...BULL. No one believes you for a moment. You just broadcasted your true ignorance.

40 Year Canuck Fan
said
0 0

Hey Louise in Calgary

This has nothing to do with Canuck fans. Did you not notice how classy the real fans in the arena were when they gave Thomas a Standing O and cheered for the Bruins when the cup was presented? Nobody left the stands even after the 4th goal.
The rioters were not fans; they were thugs and thieves and social morons who would have done this no matter the outcome of the game.

RGB
said
0 0

I think we all understand that this was an instance of mindless, excessive behavior which had nothing to do with hockey.
Reacting to it with excessive judgement will only compound the negative characterization of Vancouver. Inflamatory reaction will not serve us.
I applaud the police for exceptional patience and professional behavior during this test of civic freedoms. Now lets help identify the perpetrators and let the system run its' course.

Danetta Dunphy
said
0 0

The majority of you are right regarding the riots....there were those so called "hooligans" that were there for nothing else than to cause problems...but now the fun begins as the bleeding heart lawyers and "Human Rights" activists will be out in all their splendor...oh those poor kids, look how they were mishandled by the police...and now, of course, comes the "law suits" laid against the police and all the money the lawyers will make off us......so you see people, these kids aren't stupid, they're just out looking for "compensation" from the government for being mishandled....they all need to be (including the lawyers and the human rights people included) taken out in a boat and dumped somewhere far out in the Atlantic Ocean.................maybe they will learn how to swim (and survive) and maybe find a job!~!!

Stewart
said
0 0

I was exstremely upset with the Canucks lose and equally upset with the poor sportsmen like conduct of Boston,however it seems the rioters were
"pre-loaded" regardless of the outcome.

Kris
said
0 0

The rioting had nothing to do with a "violent sport". The first UFC event was here last Satuday - sold out at the same arena and no rioting or violent events - albeit from a much more violent sport. It happened in 94 and the media constantly talking about the events and the "if" it was going to happen again created way too many ideas for these hooligans. I bet my life that if Canada lost last year - there would be NO riots. This was merely an event that hooligans wanted to make a tradition.

Cdn Lynx
said
0 0

Social Media (F/B, Twitter) is becoming a total joke! Hi-jacked by a few, thus devaluing the true intended capability. Case in point Vancouver Riot Pics: Post Your Photos. Hijacked with totally useless comments and even worse posting on non-Vancouver riot photos, others photo shopped etc. Data coming into Facebook re: particular subject should be vetted prior to being published!

Canaduck (Vancouver)
said
0 0

These idiot rioters do not represent Vancouver--they are just bratty troublemakers looking for a chance to cause violence and destruction without any personal repercussions, and 99% of us are ashamed of them. I only hope that we can ID as many of these idiots as possible so that they can be penalized appropriately.

Celina Ross
said
0 0

While I am ashamed and embarrassed of the residents of Vancouver who participated in the riots last night, I can't help but wonder if many of these people were not in fact Vancouver residents. People travel from everywhere to watch these games, riots happen everywhere with sports. Soccer final etc. have them too. I think the Vancouver police, fire department etc. did a wonderful job keeping everyone safe last night. Thank you.

Airam
said
0 0

A generation of spoiled little children who have probably never heard "no" from their parents, and who have always gotten whatever they wanted, so they don't know how to handle it when they don't get what they want. A generation of kids who are pumped full of violence and destruction in games, television, movies and music. A generation who can only relate to a computer and a cell phone, but not to each other. A generation that knows no empathy for others. A generation of kids so socially inept that fires, destruction and violence is a social event for them. A generation who know no war, no true poverty, no real political oppression. Cowards through and through. I weep for our future. And such a shame that it casts a pallor on the good kids out there. Sorry guys, but that is how it looks.

verbum_sap
said
0 0

Vancouver: beautiful setting, horrible city. They don't know how to deal with traffic, homelessness, addiction, pollution, affordable housing, gang violence and violent crime to name a few of their problems. You have to be a fool not to expect a riot at the first opportunity with the number of disenfranchised people in Vancouver. City officials know this and still allowed the large gatherings. The Olympics gave you a false sense of security. You have nowhere near the paramilitary presence you did during the Olympics.

Andrew
said
0 0

All people caught in the ritos should have their wages garnished for the full cost of damages to the city. Individuals should also face a lifetime ban from any NHL hockey games in the future and and event taking place at the Vancouver statement.

Lori
said
0 0

You people that attach this to sports and politics are about as stupid as the idiots that rioted. These are uneducated punks with no direction in life! Their intentions whether or not Canucks won or lost were to wreak havoc on the city. Vancouver is still one of my favorite places in the world...I'm sad for real fans, residents and law abiding folks.

Michael from the real world [not Vancouver]
said
0 0

Congrats, Van, you made the BBC World News this morning! Sadly, it wasn't because of your self-proclaimed "world-class" city tag [as if] Citizens, do not riot [they help prevent them--Dave from the 'peg, if enough citizens band together they would put the rioters in hospital, not the way you describe], and do not trash their city. No, it doesn't matter if they travelled in from Surrey, PoCo or wherever, they still are citizens of the Lower Mainland. I will be very curious to see how many photos are submitted to the police, and then IDENTIFIED by true citizens [but then that wouldn't be cool, would it?] Van is all about being "cool", and not serious.

macky
said
0 0

Makes me embarrassed to be the same nationality. What happened to the Vancouver of the Olympics? Thugs..not wanted here.

Lorraine Tauson
said
0 0

I want to see all the culprits of this horror and shame stopped by arresting every single one of these freaks and jailing them for a very long time. That is just for starters! While in jail, I want to see them out everyday to clean up and rebuild Vancouver and be paying for it out of their pockets for the rest of their natural lives if necessary. Think it's so funny eh? We have NO tolerance for total destruction over what...losing the game?!!! Unbelievable. Maybe we should set YOUR cars and houses and businesses on fire. How would YOU like that?!

Mike in Calgary
said
0 0

Yesterday they closed the liquor stores early, next time I suggest they close all the bars & liquor stores at noon on game day and not allow then to reopen till 2 hours after the game ends.

Peter in MB
said
0 0

@scott said .What about the "normal" people watching the riot in person. (Why didn't they have the guts/responsibility to intervene and hold these people for the police to process?) This is because we live in a country where the criminals have more rights then you do! As much as we would love to hit them in the face with a hockey stick and knock their teeth out, if you intervene you can end up being charged with assault with a weapon and get punished worse then them. Also you don�t know if these punks are armed, they came with a deliberate intent to cause vandalism and civil disorder and might be packing a knife or gun. Its sad to see people who think its fun to trash our city�s and only get a slap on the wrist. Thank you liberal Justus system!!!

Grouch
said
0 0

Stop being soft on criminals. Hard labour! Who needs sandbags filled? Do that 12 hours a day for each day of your prison term. Also, financial reparations to insurance companies by working off the fines? Minimum wage until your "penalty" to them is also paid?

Good run Vancouver, you did better than 28 other teams! Hold your heads high, Best in the West Conf.!

mac
said
0 0

Maybe they should have a suspension of the first few games during the next season. The team doesn't need to be punished but the fans earned it. They don't deserve a team.

Matthew
said
0 0

If they were all out-of-town punks doing the rioting, how come they all had Canucks gear (which I believe has been sold out for a while now)?

No more outdoor playoff parties - what did the CBC think it was doing?

unclebobby
said
0 0

I was downtown last night and left just as the rioting started. I could sense this would happen even before the game. Vancouver has its fair share of really stupid/aggressive people walking the streets, just go do granville street on a friday night, and see for yourself. Yes, this is not representative of the city as a whole, but Vancouver has a large proportion of real wankers. You can see it when you drive your car, through the aggressive drivers, and you saw it on our streets last night. Whoever says they didn't see this coming is a liar or blind!

Louise in Calgary
said
0 0

This behaviour disgusts me, it makes me ashamed to be a Vancouver fan. This is not how you show support for your team. They may have lost the cup but they are still your team and it is still your city. It's sad to see such a beautiful city turned ugly by disgruntled fans. Vancouver fans should have showed some class and been sportsman like about their team's loss. As a Canucks fan I can say, the better team won. Vancouver did not play as well as Boston did and did not deserve to win the cup this year. I hope to see my team win the cup one year, but I understand that in this game you have wins and losses.
Shame on you Vancouver, you have disgraced the franchise

King Hughes
said
0 0

Congratulations Vancouver; you're now in the big leagues of those socialist world class euro-cities like Paris, Athens, London.

Wow...World Class!

AJ
said
0 0

Andrew in Vancouver Said:
"fences, pat-downs, bag checks, and strict government controls...overbearing arrogant state."

Hey Andrew which car did your burn first?

Pat downs and bag checks protect us all. They are a pain but only real punks can spin them into a sign of an "overbearing state"

westyvrguy
said
0 0

It really saddens me to see what happened. Vancouver is a great city and it's horrible when a few idiots like this tarnish the reputation of Vancouver and Canada as a whole. I hope that through whatever means these individuals are prosecuted and made to account for their actions.

Nunya
said
0 0

This was hilarious to watch....everyone saying,,,ohh this is so horrible,, still watched it with eyes wide open..The cop car the cop car the cop car's on fire...

Shaz
said
0 0

"As many as 10,000 users indicated they planned to attend, but whether even close to that many actually show up to help pick up the trash, glass and other debris remains to be seen."I wonder if the author of this statement took their arrogant backside down to clean up - otherwise they are no better than those they talk about. Ah, but so typical these days, the media really are acting above their station!And before anyone asks, I won't be helping clean as I'm in Ontario and I haven't insulted anyone who also won't be helping.

Giordano
said
0 0

Andrew your post is dead wrong. This place is anything BUT overbearing. Even after the riot started the police just gradually pushed forward. They were armed but barely used their weapons. It happened in 94 so obviously they needed the pat downs etc. There should have been more security.

Anarchy in our streets
said
0 0

I have ZERO tolerance for idiots who have nothing better to do with their lives than cause trouble and stand in front of their carnage taking cell photos like the idiots they are. Where are their parents, university profs now?? These kinds of "fans" Vancouver doesn't need. I suggest the cops use stiffer measures and send these irresponsible fools a strong message that this will not be tolerated on our Canadian streets.

Edmontonian
said
0 0

The police should have the green light to shoot them.

PBW
said
0 0

Don't blame the police for not moving in. If they even look at the wrong person these days, THEY are the ones being charged. Too bad our Charter is so heavy on individual rights and so light on responsibilities. To those who stood and watched, and took photos: get them to the police, otherwise you are just as guilty as those doing all the damage. But no, that would be asking too much. Accept some responsibility? Definitely not the thing to do . . .

Jenna J.
said
0 0

I've checked the photos of these criminals, and they all have something in common -- AGE. They are all young. I guess it's what we get when young people aren't held accountable for their behaviour. Ask any teacher or police officer. Young people get away with far too much.

Mark in Wpg
said
0 0

@Scott: the next time you see an angry mob rioting through a city you should step in and try to stop them. I'll come visit you in the hospital.

michelle bjelde
said
0 0

The rioters in Vancouver, once identifed, should be charged, fined and made to do a minimum of 1000hrs community service (equivalent to approx. six months full time work) AND their names should be put on a blacklist that will prevent them from receiving any government funds (student loans/grants, welfare, employment insurance, business loans, etc) for life. They have cost the city, province and Canada enough already!~michelleformer Greater Vancouver resident

Rich
said
0 0

The NHL and the Canadian Legal system has to take some of the blame for this as well. There are a small minority of tiny brained people who have no life of their own so they have to live vicariously through these hockey heroes. These tiny brained people see that their hockey heroes are almost immune from ever being prosecuted regardless of what they do. When these tiny brained people vicariously assume the identities of their hockey heroes they also assume they are also immune to the laws of society. Break the cycle and make hockey players and other pro athletes accountable for their actions like everyone else.

Nightsun2k7
said
0 0

The sad thing is that these punks will only get a slap on the wrist or a few months. I guess it's a good thing they weren't caught smoking a joint or the Harper government would toss them in jail for 5-7 years.

Debbie
said
0 0

The professional rioters should be rounded up and thrown in jail but some blame has to fall on the shoulders of Vancouver's city management for not preparing the downtown for this and why were the police just being bystanders? If you want to be considered a world-class city you need to act like one. Just a thought but it'd be interesting to know if any of those rioters were Bostonians.

Dave in Calgary
said
0 0

It's too bad the brainless ones in Vancouver feel the needs to riot over hockey. In Calgary, they show us their boobs!!!

Francine
said
0 0

The fans who were in the arena, showed the class all of vancouver should be proud of. They cheered Thomas for his efforts in the end. They knew, they had seen some great hockey and applauded appropriately.The hooligans outside, who'd planned to riot regardless, should be outed publicly, forced to pay for the damages they caused, and never allowed to live in the city they helped destroy.Andrew in Vancouver - really? You're going to blame this on cops doing thier jobs in keeping the majority of citizens safe? More than 100,000 people, drinking and smoking dope, and you don't think a little pat down is warranted? Give your head a shake.

Stu
said
0 0

Who in their right mind would waste time watching grown men chasing a piece of rubber with a stick, then we have those that believe in the invisible man. Hockey & religion are childish things, they should both be banned.

Marjorie
said
0 0

Absolutely disgusting! I hope the media and the police work together to broadcast each picture of these losers and that people do the right thing and identify them. All this because a hockey team lost??? Is this what our youth of today are all about? What a devasting comment on our society.

michael
said
0 0

Let's make a website a put all faces of these violent people their identified names. It will be forever on the web and these people won't be able to find jobs or rent apartments.I call for everybody, please put their faces on Facebook and other media websites, collect these photos.

Pauline
said
0 0

This was just stupidity and ignorance why because your team lost. Canada is better than that we do not need violence and looting to show us we are not. I know most Canadian and British Columbians are better than that it only takes a few bad apples to ruin a good reputation. I hope they throw you in jail because you should be ashamed of your ignorant action.

BIAM
said
0 0

How can anyone call Vancouver a world class city with a straight face?

Pauline Leroux
said
0 0

Linda
said
0 0

These good for nothing loosers would have acted the very same way if Vancouver won; it would then have been a celebratory riot. What an embarrassment to Canada. Authorities should have the right to use a firehose to remove them. Where they land, who really cares.

embarrassed
said
0 0

to all the American bloggers who think what happened in Vancouver last night is in any way representative of the average Canadian citizen - you are wrong! if you think this had in any way to do with the hockey game - you are wrong! This violence was pre-planned by scumbags, not hockey fan. Feel free to enjoy true Canadian hospitality and friendliness that is indicative of this country!

Steveo
said
0 0

Way to go Vancouver! Thanks for showing the NHL, Canada, the States and the rest of the world what a bunch you truly are!
A-HOLES!

penguin
said
0 0

I thnk the time has come that if the police had shot the knees off a few of these idiots, the rioting would have come to an end very quickly and to hell with the bleeding hearts screaming police brutality. I am sure glad I do not live in Vancouver!!!!.

GHW
said
0 0

Perhaps we could bring Allan Rock out of retirement, drag him out of his walled secured neighborhood, and get him to work on this problem. He can round up all the thugs and have a group hug then listen to how it really wasn�t their fault and how they should not be held accountable.

Props to the Cops
said
0 0

I would like to personally congratulate the police force for the way they handled the riots. I hope the only charges are against those responsible for the disorder I witnessed on TV last night.

Robert in Burnaby
said
0 0

This was the result of punk kids that had preplanned to do this regardless of outcome of the game. The real Canucks fans all went home after the game without incident. It's unfortunate that the few have ruined this for the whole.We will likely never again see outdoor playoff parties hosted by CBC and the city of Vancouver. We just can't trust our citizens thanks to these few idiots that wanted an excuse to destroy whatever they could.I say hunt these punks down and give them all criminal records.

Arianna
said
0 0

@Not Surprised. None of those things you've mentioned are actual Vancouver people. Gang warfare? Surrey. Pickton? Port Coquitlam. People come from outside the City, therefore having no respect for the place, and they trash it. Then they go back home to Surrey, Abbotsford, Coquitlam, etc. None of us who live here in the City would trash our own living spaces. These are not Vancouver people rioting. These are not hockey "fans" rioting. They're opportunists.

Andrew in Vancouver
said
0 0

I could see that the system was against the kids last week after going downtown because of the fences, pat-downs, bag checks, and strict government controls and that is why I didn't stay down there last night. I knew there was going to be some trouble if the Canucks lost and part of it was a reaction to the way in which fans were mistreated to begin with by an overbearing arrogant state.

FB
said
0 0

How sad and unsportsman like, especially after just having hosted the best Winter Olympics ever. Vancouver will be tarnished for this for some time!

Scott
said
0 0

What about the "normal" people watching the riot in person. Why didn't they have the guts/responsibility to intervene and hold these people for the the police to process?

Standing by and doing nothings makes you just a guilty as the criminal.

Reonda
said
0 0

What they did is disgusting and is not called for.
I was born and raised in Vancouver and even though I no longer live there still consider it my home.
I hope everyone involved gets caught and thrown in jail and fined not just a slap on the wrist.
It is not just Vancouver they have smeared but all of Canada.
AND we are not all like that.
Maybe they should do like in the old days fine an island and put them on it to live.

Trudy Smith
said
0 0

This is not what Hockey is about, you play the game, you win or lose! This show of stupidity is unacceptable, people should be prosecuted and made to clean up, preferably with a toothbrush!

Fish Calgary
said
0 0

Seeing as the Flames didn't make it into the playoffs this year, I figured I'd wave the flag a bit and cheer on the "Canadian" Canucks ( In Calgary, it would've been safer to admit I supported Bin Laden). Very disappointed in the loss and disgraced by the "fan" violence afterwards. The flag has gotten uncomfortably heavy.

Happy to have left BC
said
0 0

Please revert back to your dubious distinction of "NO FUN CITY". Vancouver has always been a sleepy small city, please maintain that way.You will never be the likes of Paris, London,New York,Singapore,etc. Drop the "World Class City "slogan that you have bestowed upon yourselves if you cannot control bad behaviour and hold world class events with a proper exit strategy.

Nancy BC
said
0 0

I would bet that the rioters included some professional agitators just like at the G8 in Toronto. Looks like some had their faces covered up -- that just reeks of trouble makers. It is unfair of CTV to label Canucks fans as rioters, as I would bet that the "fans" were not fans but idiots just looking for trouble. It is easy enough to put on a Canucks shirt so you look like a fan. Lumping all fans into one category is patently unfair.

Ally
said
0 0

"Held Accountable" - I hope these hooligans (every single one of them) get major repercussions handed to them. Not just a slap on the wrist. Don't be lenient. These people know that behaviour like this is NOT tolerated. They need to charge them for criminal behaviour and also have them pay for damages (if they can't afford it, they go to the next level - parents who have let these kids run our town to shame!!!). We are thoroughly bothered by this. It is UNACCEPTABLE. We should be so proud of our home team doing so well. This is not true fans! Another possible consequence is to group them all and move them out of this province or if they are from a different country, then deport them because they have no place being here!

Ian Ottawa
said
0 0

The Lawyer feeding frenzy is the reason the police have to be so careful on their reactions during riots. The pictures should help identify the hooligan's. Being any part of this should make these idiots (Call a Spade a spade) pay for any and all damage. Those that wore bandana's were prepared to riot and I can tell you honestly, I would have ripped it off the coward that wore it so that he could face the charges that he is responsible for. This is why police have to have the authority and the tools to arrest these criminals. Swept up by the whole thing is no excuse for damage.

ex-YVR
said
0 0

As a former resident of Vancouver and someone who saw the 1994 riots I am ashamed.

I would have thought my peers were better than those who started the '94 riots and would show the rest of the country that Vancouver was sophisticated and classy. Instead you showed the world that Vancouver is filled with angry, violent sore losers who don't even deserve a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup.

Canuck4life
said
0 0

I think true Canucks fans should go downtown with shovels and brooms and help the city clean up this disgraceful mess. I'm a Vancouver fan living in the United States and i'm soo embarassed. These could not have been Canucks fans that caused this mess. I truly hope, despite the age of the rioters, they are all prosecuted to the full extent of the law and publically humiliated for their unlawful behavior.

Dave in Ottawa
said
0 0

It's unfortunately what we have come to expect from crowds. Winning or losing makes no difference. Whether to celebrate or commiserate, the result is the same...a hooligan inspired riot. I suspect these things are induced by some small gangs just to distract the police so they can loot and pillage at will. For them, it is a plan for robbery, pure and simple.And the rioters sucker for this every time.Shame on everyone who participated. It's also a shame that those who throw bottles and garbage at police are the first to cry brutality when they get the wrong end of the stick. They deserve everything they get and more. I have no sympathy for them at all, but give a lot of credit to the police for their restraint.

lacutis
said
0 0

I guess the G8 summit should be held in Vancouver next year .... all sarcasm aside...I think they should send all these rioters to back to where they came from ;)

Rajinder
said
0 0

I hope the world understands that this disgusting display had nothing to do with hockey. These were a bunch of hooligans who came downtown looking for trouble and I imagine if we had won, there would have been some level of this disgusting behaviour regardless. I hope the VPD and the RCMP set up a task force to identify these individuals and they are charged. If people were committing arson elsewhere, I'm sure they would be hunted down and I hope the same goes for these losers who endangered the safety of the well behaved public and law enforcement (who were doing a wonderful job). Shame on all of you who participated and shame on those of you who stood by and encouraged them. What an example to set for the young kids. Absolutely pathetic.

nala
said
0 0

I can't help but think that law enforcement didn't hold the reigns tight enough because of concerns that they would face the same accusations that were leveled after the G8/G2. It is likely only a couple of dozen hoodlums that start this kind of stuff, but then the alcohol induced mob mentality kicks in. As far as I am concerned, law enforcement should be allowed to "have at them". If people don't want to be wrongly attacked by the cops or caught in the crossfire, then stay out of the area. It is sad that it has come down to that, but a few bad apples do spoil the whole bunch. And before one blames "Vancouver", remember that the same thing happened in Montreal a number of years ago ... and that was after a win!!

Lily
said
0 0

Twice? Vancouver has proven they do not deserve a team - which sucks, because it's just a few jerks ruining it for everyone else.

hooligans
said
0 0

This has nothing to do with the NHL, millions of fans watch an amazing sport every year and when this happens it only has to do with the city and nothing to do with the league. How can the league control that? its silly to think otherwise. and the fans werent fans that knew nothing about hockey. who buys a $200 jersey if they know nothing about hockey? many many of these morons were wearing jerseys. they should use force but the police are so outnumbered and if they try to do anything it is police brutality. idiots and losers like this can act and do as they please but dont dare try to apprehend one of them. that would be crazy. I agree that they should hit them with tranquilizers! that would be game over for the vandalism. or just hit anyone who acts out with a taser. these people act out against society and government but in other societies and governments they could be getting shot on the street. whats better?

Kait
said
0 0

While I understand that the problems were caused by a small group of people, the only reason the mayhem continued was because they had a crowed to watch. I'm equally disgusted with the people who stood around watching and, in effect, encouraging it to continue. I hope and trust that the idiots who were stupid enough to have their faces photographed are caught and properly punished.

Shaking My Head In AB
said
0 0

Absolutely disgusted by the behavior in Vancouver. From "boo-ing" Boston's Goalie to destroying the city in the downtown. The NHL should very seriously consider relocating the Canucks to a city that can handle a loss in stride. It's just rediculous, I'm embarrased that these people are from Canada, it sets a poor image of our country to the rest of the world who are also shaking their heads.

CHRIS
said
0 0

Riots happen around the world fighting issues of human rights or tyrannical governments...How dumb that this one is over hockey...Not only does it destroy YOUR OWN CITY but it makes you look like spoiled idiots. It's embarassing for our country to display such poor sportsmanship. I'm sure it was a mix of fans and completely non-related dumbasses looking for an excuse, but the result is the same in the eyes of the world watching... The message is that Vancouver simply can't handle their hockey. Also, this riot includes all the people that stood there holding up their phone to get photos... Thanks for contributing. You don't have to be a hero, but get out of the way so police can do their jobs.

silverhawk
said
0 0

the sad thing is, is even if vancouver won, chances are there still would have been damage, but these idiots would be doing it in celebration instead.. get that many people together at once, and bad things are bound to happen..

Duane
said
0 0

When hockey and sports become your religion (the things your worship) then it is not totally unexpected that you end up with some fanatics. Ma

LL
said
0 0

Obviously Vancouver is too immature to have a hockey team or any other team for that matter. The team should move to a city where the fans are at least a bit respectful. Grow up Vancouver.

Not So Beautiful British Columbia
said
0 0

I have always found our lauding of Vancouver being the finest place in Canada to be tiresome and lacking accuracy. For the past seveal years Vancouver has been Canada's most cherished little gem....The reality is that it is just like any other big city, albeit in a beautiful setting.What happened last night is simply history repeating itself. I cannot imagine that happening anywhere else in Canada, or North America for the matter. Perhaps now we can celebrate "Canada's Team"; the new NHL franchise in Winnipeg!

Mike
said
0 0

Send all the rioters to jail with a bar of soap.Nuff said

TJ
said
0 0

Angela
said
0 0

Truly a sad day to be a Canadian. Perhaps the rioters were not representative of the majority but they certainly left a negative impression. Vancouver doesn't deserve an NHL team unless they learn to lose with grace

Abosolutely Disgusted
said
0 0

What an shame!!! Definite black eye for Canada amongst the world. All this for what? Loosing a hockey series your team probably should never have made it to after letting Chicago back in it? You think your beloved team feels good about what you've done? Absolute garbage!!! If you're going riot make it for something, like maybe the right to choose your goverment! Retards!!!!Absolutely disgusted!

Jim-Surrey
said
0 0

Absolute BS, this is NOT how we in Vancouver or the Lower Mainland act, these are probably doped up drunk punk sore losers.Arrest them ALL fine them ALL for ALL damages incurred and throw them in jail and toss the key in Burrard Inlet.It was sad we lost BUT there was NO need for this sort of behaviour!!!!!!!!!!!There is always next year for Stanley in Vancouver!

Jack
said
0 0

What an absolute shame. These thugs should be identified, charged, fined and banned from any future public event. This was a complete senseless act of violence, destruction and no respect for the best city on earth. I personally hope all the idiots last night get what they deserve. As for the Canucks - good job this year and maybe we will bring it home next year.

Kosta
said
0 0

We just got off the phone and cancelled 20 hotel rooms and our convention in Vancouver for this weekend- the Sheraton was very nice and understanding. Seems most of the delegates that were coming in felt unsafe after the images on CNN and headline stories on NY Times depicting the city in a "blaze and out of control" - i hope Vancouver recovers one day because this has left a bad taste to many. We have visited the city many times before w/o issues but last night was an eye opener.

Proud Calgarian
said
0 0

Too bad that there is a need for a website to identify the criminals of Vancouver. The big problem in Calgary's cup run was the police informing women to keep their breasts covered. (I guess we did have a website posting those pictures). Great work Vancouver. Canada is proud.

TH in the South
said
0 0

The people involved in this riot should be ashamed! The sportsman-like conduct that we all expect from the athletes representing our country and cities overshadowed by the delinquents that call themselves sports fans. As far as I'm concerned its just another excuse to misbehave and get away with it. Disgusting. Those men playing for Vancouver may have deserved to win the Stanley Cup, but those citizens sure don't deserve to have it in their city. Glad it is going to Boston, at least it won't go up in flames there!

Rob Calgary Flames Fan
said
0 0

These !!! !!!!! are the same jerks that would start a riot even if Vancover had won. Find these idiots make them pay for the damages and then let them rot in jail. No excuse to blacken the eye of Vancover like this. I feel sorry for all of the great Vancover hockey fans that had to put up and witness what they did to their great city. These people who did this are nothing but a bunch of LOSERS!

realist
said
0 0

I don't understand the point of trashing your own City......?

Batgirl*Nucker
said
0 0

These Rioters are Not Canucks Fans. The Real Fans would never do this.. this are the protestors and rioters that Live in and around Vancouver who show up for these events because they see a Oprotunity to start something and cause absolute Chaos everywhere. Win Or Lose these people would have found some reason to Ruin it for us. I am a Fan and Will always be a Fan im Proud of my Canucks and Disspointed in those who are from Vancouver who were any part of this.

Dawn J
said
0 0

I can not believe that people would act so horrible over a hockey game. To all the people who rioted - great way to show case Canada! All of you should be ashamed of yourselves.

Brent
said
0 0

I believe the bars downtown are to blame - sure there were plenty of stories how this is good for bars and restaurants but at 11:00am yesterday there were lineups at all bars - these people were drinking from noon on - the bars obviously over served - gotta make those profits - and this is the reason there were so many problems. How many people did the waitresses and servers cut off for being too drunk? My guess is none...

Prof. Pye Chartt
said
0 0

Terrific. The public power of technology. However, I hope that the Vancouver Police Department isn't let off the hook, for failing to adequately handle something that wasn't a "shocker" or entirely unexpected. (Riotous violence and vandalism in Vancouver was the related topic of conversation in many public circles prior to Game 7.)

Concern citizen
said
0 0

This is what happened last year in Toronto at G20.And now those criminals who smashed windows and burned police cruisers are trying to sue police for their action. Shamefully liberal media support them.

NOT SURPRISED
said
0 0

2 Stanley Cup RIOTS plus the pickton farm & the gang warfare. STAY CLASSY VANCOUVER.

Walt
said
0 0

All the media cameras encouraged many to perform. I think the police should carry tranquilizer guns and drop people like a bear... then go get them and relocate them to jail immediately.

Alan
said
0 0

Vancouver seems to have started a "Not In My Vancouver" campaign that might help clean up the sullied image they have now been labelled with. Pursue the perpetrators and help cleanup in a show of solidarity might help but it would probably be relegated to page 4.The damage is done. Whether it be Canada AM or Good Morning America and I daresay globally others see the story portraying Vancouver as thugtown. And when the followup story is the protests in Greece and the financial difficulties thay are having, Vancouver looks especially stupid. A hockey game?

Cambob in Toronto
said
0 0

Vancouver rioters make the Toronto G20 rioters look like pansies. Way to go Van!!

Disgusted in Calgary
said
0 0

Water cannons, rubber bullets, live fire, I fully support what ever it takes to suppress anarchy and total disregard for order. This goes to show what would happen if there was no police force to control the behavior of much of our population. We are going down the tube.

River
said
0 0

How disgusting. What an insult to the game of hockey, the hard working teams who made it to the finals, the people of Vancouver and the Canadians.

Dean in Abby
said
0 0

So who didn't know this was going to happen? This is why most, if not all, of the fun family festivals are no longer in existence here in B.C. There are always groups of drunken idiots that want to spoil it for everyone and they have done it again. If I were the mayor and the other politicians, I would ban all festivals unless you could prove that no alcohol was being involved. The cost? The cost would involve testing everyone for booze or whatever drug they're using in order to at least try to prevent this crap from happening. The insurance and extra policing costs will be horrendous for the Vancouver taxpayers to pay for as well. I hope they catch all of these morons and make them pay for it out of their own pockets. God people are stupid! What an embarrassment.

Lorne
said
0 0

The game presented an opportunity for those people that don't know the first thing about hockey and don't care - to go out and cause the damage that was done, including the looting.Watching the riot unfold, I noticed many cultures involved in the malicious acts that don't even know what hockey is!!!! They only believe in protests and acts of violence.I also blame the so called "hockey fans" that stood around watching and prevented the police from doing their job. Sad! Sad! These fans should have left the scene so police could move in and do their job.Great international publicity for the city - tourists should just flock there now - especially the radicals.

appalled in edmonton.
said
0 0

Anyone caught up in the lawless behavior should be given a ball and chain and a broom... a small one. Set them to cleaning the streets of Vancouver and Boston for 30 days. Let them sleep on the pavement too. And send the NHL an invoice for the damages as well. Hold them accountable for the acts of the mobs they incite every year!

STEVE
said
0 0

It was great to see the fantastic crowds supporting their Canucks!! Unfortunately the actions of a few hooligans disipated any sympathy for the Canucks losing the Stanley Cup.

Regina Guy
said
0 0

That's a pretty shameful and cowardly way to act. This was more about being an idiot and causing trouble than reacting to the game. I hope they find each and every person who acted in this manner and deal with them harshly.

steveo
said
0 0

you have to be a moran to participate in this juvenile behaviour...total idiot to do it when so many people have camera phones. Hope you get what's coming to you.

what about bob
said
0 0

Despite the few idiots that decided to show off their maturety, Vancouver is still the city I would love to live in in Canada. The Canucks WILL be strong for many years to come. GO CANUCKS GO!!!

Jon
said
0 0

Vancouver should lose their hockey team, they have shown that they can handle one. I am sure Quebec City will take the team!!

Peter LeGresley Kamloops, BC
said
0 0

Looks like the same idiots that did the damage at the Olympics were at work again. The cowards keep covering their faces so they won't be seen. I hope all law abiding citizens help out in catching these scumbags. If you want anonymity call Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) and you may get a reward for your help. Let's all help in keeping our streets safe by keeping these criminals off the streets. These jerks were not fans but hooligans just creating trouble for their own gratification.

sharon
said
0 0

I live in another part of Canada & am SO embarassed with so called fans of Canucks in Vancouver last nite, disgusting disgusting disgusting, feel really sorry for normal individuals in B.C. who would never be involved in disrespect against police & destroying property, acting like a bunch of idiots!! Shame shame on all you idiots who caused this.

Mandosa
said
0 0

Nice idea, but the problem is even if they are identified all they will receive is a wee fine, maybe a bit of community service, oh and a 'please don't riot again' order, or else....the full arm of the law will come down on you again with another round of community service. Of course if they were identified, charged, and given *years* of hard labour, we'd be getting somewhere. But now that just isn't Canadian is it.. Because the rioters didn't really want to cause problems. They just weren't given the right venue for proper personal expression.

Raj
said
0 0

What will happen to them if they do. Upload their photos and what.A slap on the wrist at best.They should be made to clean up every single window that was broken and pay for any damage, but this wont happy. It makes me both said and angry!

jafajack
said
0 0

It would be great to identify and prosecute the goons and thugs that caused all the damage to the businesses and reputation of Vancouver.But, what will they get from our milktoast spineless justice system.Nothing worthwhile to warrant all the work of the police to get them into the court system.My personal opinion - disgusting