Although they've moved from their former location next to Kent's Kitchen (which has now expanded to…read moreinclude their former office space), they are still available for people in the community to ask questions about crime, safety, etc. as well as to report any strange happenings in the area.

Imagine this scenario: it's Christmas Eve, past 10:30pm, and the city is quiet, dark and nearly…read moredeserted. And it's really cold outside, too. I'm returning home from visiting friends in Burnaby, with my two kids with me, exiting the Chinatown Skytrain station to rush home to walk our elderly dog (who is overdue for her nightly walk). Along the way my kids noticed a dog, alone, walking with a limp, shivering, wandering without any apparent destination in mind, no human owner in sight. We approach said dog and he is cold, with matted hair, so sweet. No collar. We now were stuck here, committed to getting this poor dog help. None of the buildings in the area had a concierge in their lobbies (I had hoped to get help, or at least a leash and collar. I ended up using my scarf), and I called the VPD non-emergency line. After getting through a lengthy voice tree, I reached a super nice dispatcher (Matthew?) who said he'd get an officer to us "as soon as one was available". He couldn't provide an ETA, and when I asked if they'd send animal control, he said no, it'd be a police officer. I asked if the officer would take the dog in their patrol car (I used to be a 911 dispatcher near Seattle, and we'd send animal control for these types of calls). Matthew said it was "at the officer's discretion" if they took the animal or not. So now we were worried, and cold, not knowing how long it'd take for the officer to get to us (ten minutes? 2 hours?), and we had a dog at home who was probably bursting at the seams to go out. We couldn't bring the found dog home with us (my dog would kill it, and I didn't think we could walk the distance home with this dog in it's makeshift collar and scarf, too). But we were committed and already bonded with this gentle, freezing dog. What an awful condition to be in. But we were staying, no way could we leave. I flagged down a guy walking his own two small dogs and he offered to help. He called his roommate to see if he could take this poor dog to a shelter (he said he could not, as he was leaving to catch a flight in a few hours). He was committed to help this dog and us. What a nice guy (dog people rock!). Luckily, soon after, the police officer arrived, and it was as if Santa himself showed up in his sleigh! This officer was wearing a Santa hat and she was so nice, gently lifting this poor, sweet dog into her police vehicle, saying she was bringing him to the animal hospital to be checked out right away. There was no question that the dog was going to be transported by the officer immediately. She saved the day. Both the dispatcher and the officer were incredibly professional and helpful and responsive. (I had contacted the PD once before to report some vandalism in a park, and they were great then, too). And the few times I've chatted with officers on traffic detail or foot patrol, they've all been terrific. I really appreciate their presence during crowded events (like the Celebration of Lights fireworks events in English Bay), and I think the City is really lucky to have such a professional, personable police force, truly.

OK, no I did not get into trouble, that is not why I am here, not breaking the law or anything, but…read moreto get a criminal background check for a non-profit I am helping out led me to this location. I was so used to going to the Chinatown/Main Street location to get this done for a few of my jobs, prior to employment, and moving it to this location is a much more comfortable, and safe experience (this is really all in the mind.. cause really.. why would it be dangerous around a Police station). I came in here, and it's a pretty secure clean place... as expected. To get service, you need to go to reception first and take a number, but you need to tell them why you are here, and then you wait. I think I had too much coffee on this day, and luckily there is a public washroom right there, single occupancy, but at least there is one. When my number was called, I was helped right away, while the people working here are behind bulletproof glass speak to you through a digital microphone coming out on the other end. I like coming down here a lot more for criminal checks, as it's more convenient by public transit, the area is clean, and the line-up/roll-call format is very streamlined. How else can you really rate this place, they are protecting our city afterall.

The Hats off Day Fest in Burnaby has been going strong since the 80s…read more The morning started off looking iffy - clouds + rain = I almost didn't go. I would have regretted that decision. However, the sunshine came through the clouds around 1pm & it was time to walk. Boundary Rd eastwards on Hastings St is closed for several blocks. I got my 10,000+ steps in. The businesses & community of this particular area of Burnaby known as - The Heights, take over Hastings St & joyfully sell their product curbside & on the street. There's food galore options, a parade, music to get you dancing & fun for kids - bouncy castle type activity. There was a classic car show as well to check out. It's a community event packed with fun & good cheer. Mark this festival down in your calender for next year. Don't miss it.

Re: payment of city property taxes…read more Extending a 'thanks' to Burnaby City Hall for increasing the "how to pay your property taxes" options available this year -- by including 'drop-off boxes' within Burnaby's 'Regional Recreation Centres'. We used the drop-off box located at City Hall one year. Though it was a handy way to pay one's taxes, for us, the location itself was not convenient. A great idea this year, and it sure helped us. The 'Centre' used was just a short, pleasant walk away, to a place where I much-enjoy a morning walk!! All went perfectly!!

Heard about this location from my friends. Thank goodness they opened this centre. When I applied…read morefor NEXUS a few months ago, the Dunsmuir and YVR locations were COMPLETELY full for the next 6 months, and the Blaine location didn't have anything for the next 5 months. Meanwhile, the wait list here is less than 2 weeks! If you live anywhere closer than Surrey, you want to apply here. Bar none. Parking here is pretty horrendous though - you probably want to take public transit in. The centre supposedly opens at 0800, but the doors didn't open until 0805 or so. Even though I had a 0800 appointment, after the wait and all, I didn't get my 1st interview until 0830, and wasn't finished until 0915. Something to keep in mind. They give you a numbered card before sending you to the waiting area. Red for Canada, blue for USA. Nice and easy. The officers (both Canadian and American) were very cordial and professional - special mention here. I don't think I've dealt with nicer border guards anywhere else. They supposedly have the iris scan option here, but the agent told me they couldn't do it for me for some reason. This is not required unless you also want to use NEXUS when travelling by air. The US agent did also mention that they're moving away from that and towards using only fingerprints (which they do here) though. In terms of paperwork, they only looked at my driver's licence, proof of citizenship, and passport. Interestingly enough, they never asked me for my birth certificate or medical card, even though the letter I received from them instructed me to bring them. Overall, the experience was a lot more pleasant than I expected. I would recommend this location.

From the news I have heard, this centre is just temporary til the end of April possible, but I am…read morenot too sure. My gf and I both signed up online for Nexus and got an appointment within a month at this location and once we got there it was a little intimidating but overall it was a great experience. The officers were a bit strict, as they are at the border but it was expected...so as long as you know that beforehand you'll be fine. The layout is very small and looks like the passport office in Richmond and the whole process took only 15-20 minutes which was perfect. They only do the finger prints at this location, but we were told that we could drop in anytime without notice at the YVR Nexus office to get our Retina scans done so we will be doing that as soon as we get our cards in the mail ( which they said takes about 10 days) Overall it was an easy and painless process and I would recommend anyone to go here before they close it down.

Visited this weekend during the Winter Wander. They had a free photo booth set up so I got a cool…read morePolaroid picture taken of myself. They said not to shake the photograph while it was developing. This was a huge disappointment as I enjoy shaking things. They were also giving away free old timey photographs that had been digitized. I found one taken in 1920 of a lumber yard that caught on fire. Pretty neat. I'm planning to frame it and hang it on my wall above my candle as a reminder of the danger of fire.

This is the beat the heat spot! As I sit here in a quiet reading room, surrounded by the pictorial…read morehistory of our city (and looking at the front entrance of Bard on the Beach) I can't help but think, dang, we live in an amazing place! Things you should know for your visit: -It's Free! -The WiFi is Free too -You need photo ID for your membership card (also free) -You can't bring bags, food or drink into the archival area (lockers are...you guessed it - free!) -Did I mention parking is free too? -The people that work here are VERY helpful! Like friendly librarians, only better! -There's 3 types of research types for pictorial archives: the website, Major Matthews Photo Collection (Vancouver's first archivist) and the City of Vancouver's photo collection. Make sure you have your keyword hat on - you've gotta know what you're wanting to look for! So today, in the spirit of the heat, I decided to dive into the history of Vancouver's beaches and here's what I came up with (so far): -English Bay had a pier! Erected 1909; Demolished 1939 -Joe Fortes liked the water - big shock! -Kits Beach and English Bay were the only two beaches that allowed for tenters - until 1908 when they changed this rule - too unhygienic. I can't wait for my next history lesson + beating the heat all at once!

Somewhat beyond unpretentious, this local community center on the corner of Main and Hastings has…read moreit's own charm and personality, with exceptionally nice staff and people who have dedicated their lives to helping the less fortunate. With its historical architecture and spiral staircase, the space is archaic and beautiful, with plenty of character and room for a library, gym, and cafeteria. The food upstairs is amazingly good and healthy, with three course dishes for less than four dollars, but remember that the food is mostly intended to feed the local starving homeless people. The area is pretty sketchy, dirty and daunting with clustered packs of crack addicts loitering around the entrance. Just remember that these are people suffering from addiction, and if you are capable of saying "no" every time you're offered crack (usually 2-5 times), you're probably not in any real physical danger.

At this joint you can volunteer your life away and never have a chance at a job. A lot of free…read morefieldtrips, classes, games, billiards, weight room, sports gym (floor hockey, basketball), free dance lessons and yoga at times, music, tv, cheap kitchen. Join & drop out. Free dances in the 3rd or 4th Friday of the month by house bands assembled from weekly music jams which occur on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Nice free evening music cabaret Tuesdays, 7-10pm. Karaoke, poetry readings 1st Saturday of the month in the evening. Smoking lounge on outdoor patio. Hobnob with locals. Alternative documentaries and new feature films shown, Sunday, Thursday and Saturday. Nearly everything is free once you've paid your $1 annual membership. Food: 50¢ coffee, milk, juice. Cookies about the same. Soup 80¢ or so, $1.75 for complete lunch, usually with salad, dinner: $3. Snacks 80¢-1.00. Best "homemade granola" in town: $1 (if it's not sold out or burnt, or served with warmer than usual milk.) Sandwiches, muffins and nut bars often available as well as fresh (green) fruit. Open 7 days a week. Odd hours. Often closed. I got sick a few times after eating. But others swear by it. Serious security staff. Won't put up with no nonsense, from anybody, including you. Don't have a beer before you go. They can smell it apparently. Vancouver Public Library branch in building. Newsletter, free around the 15th and 1st of each month, or read it online, complete with back issues: http://carnegie.vcn.bc.ca/index.pl/newsletter Recommended: dress down to visit. Avoid photographing in the building.

Burnaby City Hall is huge. They even have a cafeteria inside the building. Most people pay property…read moretaxes online or at the bank. There is 2 hours free parking onsite along with street parking. Burnaby City Hall is also located right beside the police station.

Out for a morning drive and lunch Sunday. Dropped off some property tax forms at 'Burnaby City…read moreHall'. For us, a very 'quick & easy', no parking, and no waiting process. We used the 'Drop Box' setup (available 24/7), located just outside the parking lot, accessed via the drive by roadway into, and in front of City Hall's main entrance. Nice setup!!

Cool they have open house once in awhile. It's free to go check it out. There isn't much to see…read more It's basically a giant hall with lots of empty space. The people there are very approachable and friendly if you want them to explain any of the tanks or anything like that. But once they start talking they seem to go on forever.

For the longest time I thought this place was a museum. Until my friend told me it's a military…read moreunit. No wonder I never been in there before.