While neighbours of Victoria’s tent city claim they’ve seen a spike in property crime since the camp sprung up, police say the number of incidents has actually gone down.
Police responded to reports of property crime – which includes vandalism, theft, auto theft, break and enter and fraud – in the area around the Victoria Courthouse twice in the first two weeks of 2015.
There has only been one report in the first two weeks of 2016, according to Victoria Police spokesman Const. Matt Rutherford.
But he warned that fewer calls don’t necessarily mean fewer criminal acts are taking place in the area.
“We encourage people to phone police when that does happen,” Rutherford said. “We track crime trends through the calls of service we do attend, so if people aren’t reporting we can’t track it.”
Residents have previously told media they’re being forced to take extra security measures to deal with campers they say are stealing things like bikes and electricity from neighbouring buildings.
Statistic for other incidents which don’t fall under property crime have not been released.
The courthouse camp, dubbed “Super InTent City,” is currently home to about 100 people living in tents.
They’re allowed to legally stay there overnight because the courthouse is on provincial and not municipal land.
We've also heard claims that the area around the courthouse has seen a spike in property crimes. We're not seeing that.... #yyj
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) January 13, 2016
In the 1st 2 weeks of 2015 there were two reports of property crimes in that area. In the first 2 weeks of 2016 there's been one. #yyj
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) January 13, 2016
Property crimes, by that definition include B&Es, Theft of Auto, Theft From Auto & Frauds. #yyj.
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) January 13, 2016