'Ongoing youth violence': VicPD cracking down on groups of teens involved in downtown assaults
Victoria police say they've been dealing with "ongoing youth violence" in the city's downtown core over the last several weeks, with officers responding to dozens of calls for assaults, swarmings and vandalism.
The Victoria Police Department issued a statement on the incidents Thursday, saying they've responded to more than two dozen calls for service related to groups of young people in recent weeks.
"Youth from surrounding municipalities have begun coming to downtown Victoria on Friday and Saturday nights to consume alcohol and drugs," police said in their statement.
"Some nights have seen over 150 youth in groups of various sizes gathering in locations across downtown Victoria and the surrounding area."
VicPD shared seven examples of the types of incidents officers have been responding to, with the files in question spanning from April 22 to May 6.
Four of the seven incidents took place on the night of May 6, according to police. Those calls included:
- A report that "a group of 100 youths were in the area of Government and Douglas streets, with some of them jumping on car roofs, kicking car doors and damaging transit signs."
- A couple that reported being randomly attacked "by a group of 20 youths in the 900 block of Douglas Street."
- "A report of a group fighting near the intersection of Douglas Street and Pandora Avenue" that involved youths surrounding and harassing two unhoused people.
- The discovery of a youth lying in the road near View and Douglas streets "showing clear signs of intoxication and suffering non-life-threatening hand injuries" that were apparently sustained during a random assault on two people.
Other examples provided by VicPD included:
- A call on April 25 involving a business owner who was "swarmed and sprayed with bear spray when a group of youths began fighting outside his store in the 1100 block of Douglas Street."
- A call on April 23 involving a 70-year-old man who was "swarmed by a group of 25 youths in the 1200 block of Douglas Street."
- A call on April 22 in which an officer attempting to arrest a male youth armed with a knife and bear spray in the 1300 block of Douglas Street was swarmed by 14 other youths attempting to prevent the arrest.
In most of the cases listed, VicPD said the arrested young people were released to parents, though charges are being pursued.
"VicPD is working with regional partners including the Greater Victoria School District and regional police partners to engage with the youths and their families, interdict groups in key problem areas and conduct enforcement," police said in their statement.
Police added that they've heard from some parents who have been "providing their children with bear spray and alcohol when their children have expressed a desire to bring knives and drugs into Victoria’s downtown."
"Officers are informing parents that this type of approach is unhelpful and is instead leading to increased violence and damage," police said.
VicPD also said its officers will be "making their presence known" Friday night during a "tweet-along," and invited members of the public to join them on Twitter with the hashtag #VicPDLive.
“Several of the youths involved have told officers that they believe that they will not face criminal charges for their actions,” said VicPD spokesperson Const. Cam MacIntyre, in the release.
“Some of these youth are conducting violent, random attacks and have told officers that they believe that they will face no consequences for their unlawful actions. They are wrong. Officers are arresting and recommending charges, which can have significant and negative life-long impacts."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.