Vancouver police say they are not anticpating a repeat performance of last year's Stanley Cup riot. In this file photo a store front window is damaged along Robson Street in Vancouver after civil unrest following the NHL championship game. (John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail)John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail
Vancouver police aren't expecting a replay of any violence similar to the Stanley Cup riot as thousands of football fans converge on the city for Sunday's Grey Cup game.
Police spokesman Const. Lindsey Houghton says for starters, there won't be any outdoor screens for people to watch the match between the BC Lions and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
A report on the June riot notes the violence following the final Stanley Cup game resulted partly from up to 100,000 people watching the action on giant screens downtown.
Houghton says the Grey Cup game is a different event altogether because there won't be a seven-game buildup like there was for the final Stanley Cup showdown between the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins.
He says after the football game, police will be directing traffic as about 50,000 fans exit BC Place Stadium to ensure they get home safely, and that's the same for other big events.
Houghton says the riot squad won't be standing by because the city successfully deals with massive crowds downtown for other festivities including Canada Day celebrations.