Top headlines from Vancouver and beyond for July 29 2011:

Metro Vancouver approves a new 30 year growth strategy following unanimous endorsement by local governments. With an additional 1-million people expected to move into the region over the next 30 years, consensus was reached on the basic priorities for the region: containing urban spaces and building compact, diverse, high density centres; preserving industrial and agricultural land threatened by higher market values for residential and commercial uses; and increasing transportation choices, thereby reducing the region’s dependence on the automobile.

According to Police Chief Jim Chu, the VPD will be increasing its presence at the Vancouver fireworks this year by 25 to 30 per cent, although, as is the fashion of the time, Chu will not provide the exact number of officers that will be on duty. Perhaps more interesting than the increased police presence and the “parents control your kids” and “we’ll be pouring out yer booze” tough talk, is the use of a Citizens’ Crime Watch team - 150 plainclothes citizens who will be watching for liquor violations and other criminal activity for the first time at the fireworks. “The public will never know these volunteers are out there, but we want everyone to know that just because you don’t see a uniform doesn’t mean no one is watching,” Chu says in the Vancouver Sun.

BORED AT WORK BONUS: Mississippi’s Corrections Reform

Photo Credit: Liam Hanham