'The sustainability of Victoria is at stake': Downtown stakeholders ask city to increase police budget
A sharp rise in crime in Victoria’s downtown core has stakeholders saying that public safety is in crisis.
“We really need to see more resources going towards our frontline police to help deal with some of the issues that we’re faced with,” said Jeff Bray, executive director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA).
The DVBA, along with the Victoria Chamber of Commerce, Destination Greater Victoria, Our Place Society and the Conservatory of Music, has penned a letter to City Hall. It’s asking the city council to approve the hiring of six new police officers and four civilians before it’s too late.
“If we don’t get a handle on this, the sustainability of Victoria is at stake,” said Jane Butler McGregor, CEO of the Victoria Conservatory of Music.
Victoria Police Department Chief Del Manak is asking for a seven per cent increase to his department’s budget, or $4.1 million more than the current year.
“It really is a question for council to decide on what sort of investment do they want to make in public safety,” said Manak. “This is one of their core responsibilities, to keep their citizens safe.”
The city budget will be approved in the new year. Currently, council is debating what increases should be sent out for public engagement, to be added to that budget for approval.
“I don’t see any problem when we get to budget debate in the new year with these resources being approved,” said Lisa Helps, Victoria’s mayor.
The mayor, who also co-chairs the Victoria Police Board, says Victoria is a safe city but admits there has been an increase in violent crimes. She wants to see the increases approved.
“I certainly support them; I support the work that Vic PD does,” said Helps. “They are in very difficult circumstances, as are police departments in every city in this province.”
Our Place Society has signed the letter as well.
“We have seen a rise in violence on our streets and disorder,” said Julian Daly, the society’s CEO.
Although many homeless individuals have been housed through the province’s purchases of hotels, some people aren’t able to be housed in those hotels, either because they have caused problems and been removed or they don’t want to live by the facilities’ rules. That puts them back on the streets, often to rely on crime for survival.
“The police actually, in reality, day to day here, we see them helping and keep people who are some of the most vulnerable citizens – homeless folk on the street – safe,” said Daly. “Safe particularly from the criminals who do prey on them.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.