Teen Voices: A Call for Safer Public Spaces in Vancouver

A recent discussion with students from West Vancouver’s Sentinel Secondary, Sara Pourmand and Yazdan Khansari, highlighted the daily challenges teens face navigating their community. The conversation, hosted by Samira Gholami of Skyrise Media Society, touched on commuting, public transit, and safety concerns that many young people encounter in Vancouver.

Samira asked about the Commute and Public Transit Concerns?

Both students said they feel safe inside their school but raised concerns about the daily commute. Yazdan, a regular bus rider, described the difficulties of traveling between downtown Vancouver and West Vancouver, including traffic congestion on the single bridge connecting the two areas. Sara noted that biking is not a practical option for many students because of the steep terrain in West Vancouver.

Much of the conversation focused on experiences with public transit. Yazdan said he sometimes feels unsafe on buses, particularly in the downtown core, where he has encountered people under the influence of drugs or alcohol. “It’s better for teenagers to sit closer to the driver, because the driver is trained to handle these situations,” he advised.

The students also pointed out that buses often lack visible emergency contact information and that response times for non-emergencies can be slow—factors that contribute to a sense of vulnerability.

Samira asked Suggestions for Improvement?

Sara and Yazdan suggested several ways to improve safety for young commuters. They recommended awareness campaigns through schools and city channels to teach youth how to respond in unsafe situations. Both students also called for more visible signage on buses with emergency contact numbers.

Yazdan added that better street lighting around transit stops would make a difference for riders traveling in the evening. He also suggested that increasing bus frequency during off-peak hours could help reduce long wait times that often leave young people feeling exposed.

What is Personal Safety and Parent Guidance?

The discussion also touched on personal safety strategies. Traveling in groups, sharing live locations with parents, and waiting in well-lit areas were highlighted as ways teens can reduce risks.

Sara reflected on her own experiences at community events. “During summer festivals, I feel safer because there are more people around. But my parents still advise me to be home before sunset,” she said.

While these concerns are personal, they also reflect broader community issues. Public safety and reliable transit affect not only teenagers but also families and residents across the region.

As host, Samira Gholami closed the discussion by noting: “The voices of our youth are a mirror of our community’s priorities. If they are telling us they feel unsafe, it is our responsibility as adults, institutions, and civic leaders to listen and act.”