VicPD will be receiving additional funding from the BC government’s Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement Program (C-STEP) and from the City of Victoria’s new Community Safety and Wellbeing (CSWB) plan to increase foot and bike patrols in the downtown core.
Through C-STEP, they received $220,000, and the City is providing $1.35 million in ongoing funding for VicPD to hire nine new officers.
This funding is meant to go directly towards addressing recent and ongoing community concerns regarding retail theft, street disorder and public safety.
VicPD says they will have officers to dedicate more time to visible patrols during peak hours in the downtown core, with the goal of creating a safer and more welcoming environment.
Through C-STEP’s funding, these increased patrols began last week, specifically between Blanshard Street and Wharf Street, and from Chatham Street to the Cruise Ship Terminal.
“Our downtown Businesses [sic] welcome this funding and the increased presence of VicPD officers,” said Jeff Bray, CEO of the Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA).
“We know these efforts will lead directly to a reduction in crime and street disorder, and this is exactly what our businesses are asking for.”
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The funding will support increased officer hours and will allow VicPD to purchase additional patrol bikes.
VicPD says that these new bike and foot patrols will be in addition to existing patrols during regular shifts, when call volumes allow.
“Public safety is our top priority, and this funding allows us to build on the momentum we saw with similar initiatives that began last year,” said Chief Del Manak.
“While we continue to advocate for increased resources to meet the growing population and demands for police services, these highly visible patrols are about more than just enforcement; they are about building relationships, addressing concerns proactively, and reassuring the public and business community that we are committed to keeping our downtown core safe and vibrant.”
Prior to this increase in funding, VicPD’s budget amounted to $82.6 million, a 9.71% increase from last year.
With Victoria paying the lion’s share of VicPD’s budget, sharing their services with the Township of Esquimalt, this amounts to around 25% of the City’s entire operating budget.
