A new community-led pilot project in downtown Victoria is bringing businesses, residents and public agencies together to share safety updates and improved communication.
The Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA), together with the City of Victoria, Victoria Police Department, Victoria Fire Department and the Victoria Downtown Residents Association, has introduced a new program called the Neighbour Network.
The initiative is being tested in the 700-block of Fort Street and focuses on neighbourhood collaboration, clearer reporting processes and real-time information sharing.
The network connects participating residents and business owners through shared chat groups and a public website that outlines how to report different issues, such as noise complaints, graffiti, sidewalk obstructions or fire-related concerns.
The site lists which agencies are responsible for specific matters and provides contact guidance intended to streamline response times.
According to the DVBA, the pilot was created after businesses identified confusion about which agency handles which situations. The organization says the program is designed to support communication rather than replace existing enforcement or city services.
The initiative launches as additional police resources are being deployed downtown through a provincial program that targets high-incident areas.
Funding from the Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement Program (C-STEP) was matched by the City of Victoria, allowing Victoria Police to increase targeted enforcement, visibility and response capacity through December and into 2026.
Both actions are rolling out during the holiday season, which brings heavier foot traffic downtown.
Feedback from the current pilot will help determine whether the Neighbour Network expands to other areas in the new year.
The DVBA has indicated that future locations would likely be chosen based on community interest in improving safety, communication and cleanliness.
More information about the program is available online.
