VicPD arrest man trying to start fights with people watching Santa Claus Parade

Despite the weather Saturday night, thousands of Victorians headed downtown for one of the city’s most beloved traditions, the Peninsula Co-op Santa’s Light Parade.

2022 marked the 40th annual iteration of the parade, and with a new route, families started a new tradition of watching the parade along Douglas Street this year.

As in past years, the parade kicked off at Government and Belleville streets, but with the closure of Government Street, floats headed north up Government Street before turning right onto Humboldt Street, and left onto Douglas Street, before stopping at Fisgard Street.

While the most of the magical event went without a hitch, a VicPD officer was injured while dealing with a man who assaulted a person in the crowd.

According to witnesses, the man was attempting to start fights with parade-goers.

As per any major event, VicPD were among the crowd to ensure the festivities was safe and family-friendly.

A group of VicPD officers were walking in the parade and handing out candy canes when a parade spectator approached them to report that a man had assaulted another spectator and was continuing to walk through the crowd trying to instigate fights. 

Officers located the man and moved him away from the crowd to a safe place where they could arrest him. But when they tried to do so, police said he began to fight them.

Police were able take him into custody a few minute later, however, one officer suffered minor injuries during the fracas.

The parade spectator who was assaulted did not need medical attention and the man who was arrested was taken to police cells.

Anyone who witnessed the incident and who hasn’t yet spoken to police or have video of it are asked to contact VicPD at 250-995-7654.