The City of Victoria has pledged over $10.35 million in city funds for public safety, with $3.5 million specifically for police and bylaw enforcement, following a series of violent incidents during the Canada Day long weekend. This funding is part of the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan, aiming to address public disorder and increase police presence in the downtown core.
City of Victoria pledges over $10M for public safety following violent long weekend
CBC VANCOUER ISLANDPublic safetyBritish ColumbiaVictoriaCity of VictoriaMayor Marianne AltoCrimeArrestsLaws
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The City of Victoria has pledged over $10.35 million in city funds for public safety, with $3.5 million specifically for police and bylaw enforcement, following a series of violent incidents during the Canada Day long weekend. This funding is part of the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan, aiming to address public disorder and increase police presence in the downtown core.
Trending- 1 June 2025: City councillors endorsed the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan.
- 2 Sunday (Canada Day long weekend): Series of violent incidents across Victoria.
- 3 Monday (July 1, 2025): Police statement on Sunday's incidents.
- 4 Wednesday (July 2, 2025): City of Victoria announced $10.35 million funding for public safety.
- Increased police and bylaw presence in Victoria's downtown core.
- More temporary housing options for unhoused persons.
- Potential reduction in public disorder and improved public safety.
- Victoria Police Department will undertake an aggressive recruitment and hiring plan.
What: The City of Victoria pledged over $10.35 million in city funds for public safety, with $3.5 million allocated for police and bylaw enforcement. The plan includes hiring a dozen bylaw staff and nine new police officers, providing a one-time payment to match provincial funding, and investing in temporary housing solutions.
When: Announced on Wednesday (July 2, 2025), following violent incidents on Sunday (Canada Day long weekend). The Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan was endorsed by city councillors in June 2025.
Where: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, specifically the downtown core, Pandora, Princess, Yates Street, and Queens Avenue.
Why: To address 'public disorder' and a rise in violent incidents in the city's downtown core, particularly after a violent Canada Day long weekend. The Victoria Police Department has been under-resourced.
How: By reallocating city funds, including $1.9 million for bylaw staff, $1.35 million for new police officers, a $220,000 payment to match the Province of British Columbia's C-STEP, and investments in temporary housing ($624,000 for non-profits, $1.95 million for emergency shelters, $850,000 for operations, $300,000 for property rentals). Also, rehabilitating public infrastructure and creating a transport plan for unhoused persons.