Victoria council is moving to provide the Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA) with funding to help businesses damaged in a recent spree of mischief.
A motion brought forward by Mayor Lisa Helps called on city staff to work with the DVBA on options to help downtown businesses impacted by vandalism.
The motion passed at Thursday’s committee of the whole meeting with unanimous support.
“Last night I was in touch with the executive director the DVBA, Jeff Bray, who indicated his organization’s willingness to help to create some kind of financial relief program for businesses that have been the targets of these attacks,” she said at a press conference Thursday afternoon.
The mayor says details on the program are still to be determined and staff will be working with the DVBA over the next few days on the details.
Earlier this week at least 14 businesses had their windows smashed by a suspect who police believe also stole a Harbour Ferry boat and lead authorities on a marine pursuit.
Patrol officers arrested a man early this morning after a spree of mischiefs to downtown businesses. 14 locations have been identified by investigators. If you were impacted by this incident & have not spoke with officers, call 250-995-7654 ext 1. #yyj https://t.co/Utb7uOTXur pic.twitter.com/kuRP4hNj7g
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) January 20, 2021
Helps says she was told the suspect was released on conditions from the earlier incident before his vandalism spree due to recent changes in the Criminal Code.
“Regardless of who and why and how and when, the negative impacts are on already struggling people.”
In terms of the amount of funding, the mayor said the city likely doesn’t have the funds to pay for every business that has been damaged over the last six months, and it will be up to city staff and the DVBA to determine how much money can be distributed.
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