A tale of two riots
Comparing the 1994 and 2011 Stanley Cup riots in Vancouver
The scenes of hooliganism and destruction in Vancouver after the Canucks' loss to the Boston Bruins in the seventh game of the Stanley Cup final on Wednesday are a case of deja vu for those who remember June 14, 1994. That was the night riots broke out after Vancouver's Stanley Cup defeat to the New York Rangers.
Officials haven't had a chance to tally the full extent of last night's outburst, but early reports suggest it could eclipse the anarchy of '94 in terms of damage and injuries. Here's a comparison of the two events.
1994
Total cost: $1.1 million
Number of people in the streets: 50,000 to 70,000
Number of officers deployed: 540
Number of people injured: 200
Number of arrests: 150
Worst incident: Police struck rioter Ryan Berntt in the head with a plastic bullet, which put him in a four-week coma and caused permanent brain damage. Berntt filed a civil suit against police and the City of Vancouver for excessive force, a case that was ultimately dismissed by the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
City hall's response: Then-mayor Philip Owen said the event was indicative of the "deep social problems across the country."
2011
Total cost: Officials are conservatively estimating about $1.3 million to cover things like the cost of policing and fixing damage.
Number of people in the streets: 100,000
Number of officers deployed: No official numbers are currently available
Number of people injured: At least 140
Number of arrests: Vancouver police Chief Jim Chu said close to 100 people were arrested.
Worst incident: Officials are still assessing the situation, but there were reports of at least four stabbings and one person listed in critical condition.
City hall's response: "Vancouver is a world-class city and it is embarrassing and shameful to see the type of violence and disorder we’ve seen tonight," said current mayor Gregor Robertson.