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Surrey RCMP Cpl. Elenore Sturko said past Fvded weekends have not produced any more worries from a policing perspective than may be expected for festivals of that size. But she police were very aware of the ongoing opioid health crisis and officers are trained as first responders and equipped with naloxone to be at the ready to help treat overdoses.

“Obviously we want to discourage people from using illicit drugs. It’s unlawful. But at the same time, at events there can be the use of drugs and we are prepared for that if it does occur and of course if they need our assistance, officers are ready for that.”

Holland Park is a 25-acre outdoor space opposite the King George SkyTrain Station in Surrey City Centre. It is adjacent to Simon Fraser University’s Surrey campus and several big-box stores, as well as a handful of apartment buildings and a couple of dozen detached homes.

Yalda Asadian, a community enhancement manager at the City of Surrey, said the park was purpose-built to host major public gatherings. The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games celebrations, the Fusion Festival and Colour Me Rad are other examples of events that have been held there.

“The City believes that these events contribute to building community and bring vibrancy to the City Centre,” Asadian said in a written statement.

A robust police and security presence as well as a detailed traffic and crowd management plan will help mitigate negative activities at the festival and in the surrounding neighbourhood, she said.

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