VicPD has revealed the plan they are putting into place with the goal of permanently removing encampments from both Pandora Avenue and Ellice Street.
This plan is being put in place as a reaction to an incident in which a paramedic was assaulted while providing medical assistance to an unhoused individual in the 900-block of Pandora Avenue.
Following the incident, VicPD put into place a temporary plan in which first responders, such as firefighters and paramedics, would not be allowed to respond to medical emergencies without a police escort.
Since that time, VicPD has been developing a strategy to clear all encampments from Pandora Avenue and Ellice Street in Rock Bay, which they say is also an area that is of concern to them.
For four weeks now, police presence in these areas has been significantly increased with the purpose of acting as a deterrent to crime and arresting violent individuals, those who are selling drugs and people in possession of prohibited weapons.
Related:
- ‘Angry and upset’: City bylaw clear Pandora Avenue encampment in massive sweep
- Paramedics will now require police presence before providing medical aid on Pandora Avenue
“Our goal is to maintain public safety by taking action to address criminality and street disorder, to find, target and prevent entrechment [sic] of criminals who are exploiting vulnerable persons in those areas, and to work with and support community partners and service providers in ongoing efforts to create long-term housing solutions,” said Chief Del Manak.
Thus far, the increased police presence has led to less sheltering in the area, according to a City spokesperson.
However, Manak admits that VicPD can only do so much in the area and much of the success of their plan will fall onto other organizations, especially the City of Victoria Bylaw Services and BC Housing.
Bylaw is responsible for enforcing and impounding shelters that are illegally erected along Pandora Avenue and Ellice Street, whereas BC Housing bears the brunt of the workload with finding adequate housing and shelter space for those who will be displaced by this enforcement.
According to VicPD, they will need an extra $79,550 from the City in order to carry out their plan.
Currently, VicPD receives 22.7% of the City’s entire budget, the largest allotment of any department.
See the plan below:
- Stage one – Foot Patrols: four to six weeks
- Special duty officers will be dedicated to the 800 and 900-block of Pandora Avenue and the 500-block of Ellice Street
- Stage two – Sheltering Enforcement: two to three weeks
- VicPD says they will work with City of Victoria Bylaw and Public Works to remove people’s structures. According to the City, this process is centred in “education and enforcement”, but for those whose property is being impounded the process is referred to as ‘sweeps’
- Stage three – Encampment Removal
- VicPD will then support partners and service providers with the complete removal of the encampments within these areas
- According to the strategy, the success of stages two and three will depend heavily on Bylaw Services and the ability of BC Housing and Island Health to provide sheltering options and appropriate health care
VicPD says the goal is to provide housing to those living along Pandora Avenue and Ellice Street.
According to police, they will not be leading the effort but will provide advice and assistance with the final removal of the encampments and securement of the identified areas.
Victoria Buzz reached out to Our Place Society for comment on the strategy, but have not yet received a response.
More to come following a press conference on Wednesday, August 7th.
