Victoria City Council has called a special meeting today to address a $113-thousand budget increase request from VicPD to boost policing around tent city.
According to CFAX, VicPD inspector Scott McGregor the situation at Tent City has deteriorated over the past three weeks. The council will meet later this afternoon to consider the budget increase.
Our request is for $113,000 to deploy our officers at higher levels in the area around Tent City from now until Sept. 30th.
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) May 20, 2016
The news comes on the heels of the B.C. Government issuing an ultimatum and a deadline to the campers living on the court house lawns. Those living at the encampment have until May 25th to comply with an order from the Victoria Fire Department to put out their fire, take down all structures and move their tents further apart.
If the encampment dwellers fail to comply, the Province will seek a court order to evict those who remain. Housing Minister Rich Coleman has said it is unlikely the Province will wait until a court hearing for a permanent injunction in September.
