In the run up to the Olympics, the most readily identifiable presence on Vancouver streets has surely been the wayward, map-toting tourist. VANOC volunteers, with their visually assaulting, HBC sponsored blue work out suits, likely earn a close second place.

However, once the games got underway, another colour punctuated the streets, finding its way into the scene of nearly every demonstration, police presence and activist camp out taking place in Vancouver proper.

The B.C. Civil Liberties Association’s legal observer program has dispatched orange-shirted volunteers to watch over any interaction between police, activists and civilians (except, to the dismay of many, Saturday’s miniature riot).

Documenting police activity through notes, photographs and video, the observers say they hope to be the watchful eye that ensures a safe, peaceful and legal Olympics experience for committed activists and protestors in the face of a massive police force with a billion dollar budget.”

Tyee reporter Justin Langille hooked up with a duo of observers to find out what’s happening on the ground the night after a tent city encampment was established on Hastings Street this week.