The Vancouver Police Department has again requested liquor stores in the city's downtown core close up early to avoid public drunkenness.
The B.C. Liquor Control and Licensing Branch agreed, and will enforce a 7 p.m. close on Friday night.
Police say they are attempting to avoid a repeat of last Friday's liquor-soaked Olympic celebration, when approximately 40 people were arrested for being intoxicated outdoors and roughly 1,000 bottles of alcohol were poured out in the street.
A large presence of police and members of the Integrated Security Unit will again be working downtown to manage the crowds.
There is no word yet on what the VPD has planned for Saturday or Sunday – the department has been evaluating the early closures day-by-day.
