Violence, drug-related calls have spiked since tent city: police

Since Victoria’s tent city sprang up last year, more than one-third of a spike in police calls involved the controversial encampment, new numbers show.

Victoria Police said it released the data Wednesday in response to requests from the community and the media.

There were 18,735 total calls for police service in Victoria Police's jurisdiction from November 2015 to April 2016, compared to 18,082 during the same period a year earlier – a jump of 653 calls.

Out of that jump, 239 calls alone were to Victoria’s tent city area – defined as a three-block radius centered around the Victoria Courthouse.

There were 521 total calls for service in the tent city area from November 2014 to April 2015, while there were 760 calls for service in the same period in 2015-2016.

Police activity peaked in February 2016 – which saw 167 calls for service to tent city compared 113 the year before.

In the 2015-2016 period, drug-related calls more than tripled from nine to 27, calls for violence jumped to 39 from 15, and calls for “public disorder,” which includes disturbance calls, noise bylaw offences, liquor act offences and weapons possession, rose to 209 from 153.

“As a results of the numerous issues that have arisen in relation to the tent city area, the Victoria Police Department has been engaged in a comprehensive response that includes regular attendance at tent city as well as increased patrols in the general area,” police said in a statement.

Provincial officials and local police have been working with camp residents to improve safety conditions and alleviate fire concerns.

Tent city sprang up last fall after word got out a city bylaw that prohibited all-day camping in public parks didn’t apply to the courthouse land.

Neighbours in the area have long complained of a jump in crime and unsightly behaviour, but data hasn’t supported their claims until now.

Some frustrated residents have even formed an official group called “Mad As Hell” in opposition to the encampment.

Police said the numbers only represent incidents that have been reported to them. 

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  A view of the Christ Cathedral Church overlooking tent city before the block party at the camp in Victoria, B.C., on February 25, 2016. (Chad Hipolito / The Canadian Press)