Downtown Victoria business owner frustrated with local crime as municipal election approaches
A downtown Victoria business owner says he's upset about repeat break-ins at his business. It's a frustration that he's voicing as municipal elections loom.
Security footage, captured at 5:14 a.m. Saturday shows a man breaking the front window of Blackapple Cellular in downtown Victoria.
"He waited until 5:45. a.m. to get into the store,” said Mandeep Rana, owner of Blackapple Cellular.
Half an hour later, with alarms still going off, the man entered the store and made off with hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise.
"That’s when he realized that my employee was just pulling up outside," said Rana.
The man fled out the back door. About 45 minutes later, the police arrived.
"This is the really frustrating part," said the store owner.
Security footage from a recent break-in at Blackapple Cellular in downtown Victoria is shown.
Recent data released by Statistics Canada shows that the volume and the severity of police reported crime in Victoria is well above the provincial average.
"I would like council to take this very seriously," said Rana. "If we start losing businesses from downtown Victoria, downtown Victoria is going to be like a haunted place."
MUNICIPAL ELECTION
Jeff Bray, CEO of the Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA), says crime in the city core has been a growing issue.
"There are behaviours that are now becoming normalized that five or six years ago we would never accept," he said.
Bray says he expects downtown crime to become a top issue in the upcoming municipal election.
"Who’s prepared to clearly identify those issues, those behaviours that are not acceptable, and then address them through enforcement, bylaw and other actions?" said Bray.
Michael Prince, a political scientist with the University of Victoria, says October's election will be a significant one for the city, with many city councillors and Mayor Lisa Helps already announcing their departures.
"This is going to be a turnover election, so we’re going to see a major shift," said Prince.
The entrance to city hall in Victoria, B.C. (CTV News)
The political scientist agrees with Bray. With many current councillors not running for re-election, prospective candidates can pitch changes for the city's direction.
"We’re seeing some of the mayoral candidates speaking very differently and much more strongly in favour of a community policing presence," said Prince. "A sense of stability and order in the downtown."
Rana says last weekend's break-in is just one of several that he's suffered recently.
"This is the second break-in in the same location in the last three months," he said.
Rana also runs a shuttle service to the airport and had his bus broken into last month on View Street in downtown Victoria. The vehicle had its batteries stolen and other equipment was taken.
"What has downtown become?" said the business owner.
Rana operates two other Blackapple outlets, one in Uptown and the other in the West Shore. Out of frustration he has considered closing down his downtown Victoria location.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.