Paramedics will now require police presence before providing medical aid on Pandora Avenue, following an incident on July 11th.
Last week, a paramedic was assaulted while providing medical assistance to a Victorian in the 900-block of Pandora Avenue which prompted a series of events leading to VicPD’s insistence of an increased police presence in the area.
Following the BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) employee being kicked in the face while attempting to give medical aid, VicPD claim their officers were attacked by a number of Pandora Avenue community members.
In a response to this, VicPD’s Chief Constable Del Manak released a lengthy statement saying paramedics will no longer aid those in need of medical attention without a police presence.
This will include those who are experiencing an overdose.
On Friday, July 12th, Manak held a meeting with Victoria’s Mayor, Marianne Alto, along with leaders from Victoria Fire Department and BCEHS, who together came to this conclusion.
He says this is being done because of a rise in violence towards first responders.
According to Manak, this decision is justified because of another incident in which Ellice Street community members threw rocks at police officers; however, he did not provide any context for that situation.
“Let me be clear: this is a required step in response to escalated tensions we have observed, but it is going to create significant workload pressures on VicPD and reduce timeliness of medical response, in situations where every second counts,” said Manak.
Related:
- Dozens swarm emergency responders after attack in downtown Victoria
- Attack on emergency responders draws massive police response to downtown Victoria
Manak also noted in his statement that this section of Pandora Avenue is mostly comprised of people who have different needs, backgrounds and life circumstances, but noted that regardless of these circumstances, first responders deserve to feel safe.
One of the city’s most prolific service providers for unhoused Victorians, Our Place Society, operates out of this area of Victoria and they say they are distressed over the situation that occurred, but also have empathy for the individual who was charged with assault.
“We are distraught that a first responder who arrived on the 900 block to offer aid was injured in the line of duty. We believe everybody should be safe in their chosen field,” said a spokesperson for Our Place Society.
“We are also heartbroken for the young man who has been charged in the assault as it is someone we have been trying, for months now, to get appropriate medical help for. Now two lives have been damaged in an incident that could have been prevented with appropriate and timely interventions.”
This week, Manak says VicPD will be coming up with a strategy to have an increased police presence on Pandora Avenue to “rebuild relationships with our street community.”
