SGBIA Security Snapshot
Theft and property crime continue to be a concern for businesses across Vancouver, but how is South Granville doing? Here’s a mid-year check-in on local crime activity and neighbourhood safety.
Theft Trends: South Granville vs. the City
So far this year, Vancouver has seen around 4,500 reported thefts, averaging about 32 incidents per day citywide. In the Fairview area (which includes South Granville), there have been 244 thefts, or about 1.7 per day. That’s just 5.4% of the city’s total, placing our neighbourhood on the lower end in terms of overall volume.
In short, theft is still happening, but South Granville is faring better than many areas when it comes to total incidents.
Most Common Types of Theft
The most frequently reported issues are shoplifting and commercial break-ins. While there are occasional reports of auto theft or smaller incidents, the bulk of cases fall under “commercial break-in and theft,” which typically means either retail theft or break-and-enter.
What We’ve Heard from Members
Overall, business feedback has been largely positive about the concierge program. There are concerns about garbage and unwanted activity, particularly near the Granville Bridge underpass and occasionally in the plaza at West 13th. Vacant storefronts are also prone to attracting overnight sleepers. That said, these issues remain relatively minor compared to other parts of the city, and the SGBIA has been supporting efforts to fill these vacancies.
What the Security Team Is Seeing
On the ground, our concierge and security team have seen real improvements in problem areas. The alleys around Broadway, 11th and 12th Avenues, which have historically been hotspots, are cleaner and more manageable than in previous years.
While a few familiar individuals continue to frequent the area (along with some new faces), there are no major concerns at this time. Increased visibility of VPD patrol cars has also been noted, which contributes to an overall sense of vigilance and presence.
VPD Crime Map Activity
Overall, reported crime is slightly up, but our coordinator notes this appears to be connected to new VPD task forces targeting retail and violent crime. This means the numbers may reflect more proactive tracking and response, rather than a true spike in criminal activity.
Neighbourhood-specific crime data can be reviewed at VPD's GeoDash Crime map.
Please note: It is believed that 40% of all crimes go unreported according to Public Safety Canada, and crimes are even less likely to be reported by businesses. Police resources are allocated based on the VPD GeoDash data. The more crime reported, the more police are sent to a district. As South Granville's BIAs membership has opted for a premium security service, we take pride in having our concierge assist your business in reporting your crimes to help ensure our area is appropriately resourced by VPD.
Business Safety
Safety is always subjective, but South Granville remains a safe and functional commercial district. The area sees strong daytime activity, a visible concierge presence, and proactive business engagement. Compared to more heavily impacted neighbourhoods, South Granville continues to stand out as one of Vancouver’s safer business areas. Surveys of visitors to the area consistently rank the perception of safety as one of South Granville's key assets.
Quick Stats from the Field
2024 Security Reports Logged: 10,425
Major Incidents Marked: 3,197
According to Paladin Security, this is a notably high number of reports compared to other sites, indicating high visibility and responsiveness from our Community Safety team.
We’ll continue to monitor trends, share updates, and advocate for neighbourhood safety. If you experience an incident or want to share feedback, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the BIA office. We’re here to help.
If you'd like more context or have specific concerns about safety around your business, reach out to Reid, Community Safety Coordinator, at safety@southgranville.org.