Italian Day is usually known for cannoli, not rifles.
But the Vancouver Police Department drew more than the usual scrutiny Sunday after equipping its officers with carbine rifles.
Festival-goers tweeted photos of officers holding the rifles at the street event, which draws tens of thousands of people annually.
Police also stationed heavy vehicles along the 14-block stretch of Commercial Drive.
The reaction online was divided.
When did the <a href="https://twitter.com/VancouverPD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VancouverPD</a> become militarized and why are they walking around with assault rifles at community event?
—@MyPetGloatEffective temporary measures by <a href="https://twitter.com/CityofVancouver?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CityofVancouver</a> prevent vehicle incursions at 2018 Italian Day Festival on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommercialDrive?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CommercialDrive</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EastVan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EastVan</a>. Participants in this street festival may feel reasonably secure that a tragedy like <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TorontoVanAttack?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TorontoVanAttack</a> won't be perpetrated here. Thank you! <a href="https://t.co/5jPcB7hbuM">pic.twitter.com/5jPcB7hbuM</a>
—@NRG_BCI’m in Milan right now, as I type, and there are many police in the main tourist areas similarly armed. So <a href="https://twitter.com/VancouverPD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VancouverPD</a> you get bonus points for solidarity with your Italian brethren.
—@Crosstown_VanAdrienne Smith, a human rights lawyer in Vancouver, said a militant police presence makes member of marginalized communities feel unsafe.
"To see this kind of uniformed officer displaying an assault-[style] rifle was really upsetting for these folks," Smith said.
"It makes people not want to participate."
'It is a balancing act'
Vancouver police called the guns and heavy vehicles a necessary response in the wake of new terrorism threats.
Sgt. Jason Robillard, a spokesman, said that police took their cues from attacks in Nice and Toronto, where attackers used trucks to mow down pedestrians.
"It doesn't look well. We understand that," Robillard said. "It is a balancing act for us."
"But unfortunately ... there's a need for it. We need to keep the public as safe as we can in these events."
Robillard said it isn't uncommon to see police in Europe carry rifles at sporting events.
"It's unfortunate in Vancouver that it's come to this."
Comments
To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted.
By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.