Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Victoria, B.C. – In response to the public conversation regarding the re-establishment of supportive housing at 940 Caledonia Avenue, we are providing call data and context for the neighbourhood immediately surrounding the area for the years preceding, during and after the operation of ‘Tiny Town.’
Area where data has been measured
The graphs below show overall calls for service in each month over a five-year period, as well as the top five types of calls within each year. These call-types are categorized by the E-Comm dispatcher. Note that calls for Unwanted Persons, Suspicious Persons and Check Wellbeing are not considered criminal activity.
Call volume and type in area surrounding ‘Tiny Town’ 2020-2024
Over the course of a 10-year period (2014-2023), the average number of calls for service in the area was 397 calls per year. Calls to the area were above average during the years that ‘Tiny Town’ was operating with 592 calls in 2021 and 422 calls in 2022.
In 2023 and in early 2024, we have seen an overall reduction in calls for service to the area. This is a trend that was occurring prior to the closure of ‘Tiny Town.’
The general rise in calls during summer months is typical throughout our jurisdiction and is reflected in our Open VicPD Community Safety Report Cards.
When working with data of this volume, it’s important to remember that a single individual conducting criminal activity, such as theft from a vehicle, or a single household with disturbing activity, such as domestic violence, can cause a large change in overall call volume and types of calls over a short period of time.
It’s also important to note that specific calls or call-types cannot definitively be connected to ‘Tiny Town’ residents. There have been many other changing factors in the province, in the city and in the immediate neighbourhood during the same time period which may be impacting calls for assistance.
While we recognize that neighbours have expressed valid concerns about this project, Victoria Police Department supports the re-establishment of a small, well-managed supportive housing site at 940 Caledonia Avenue as a safe location option within the City of Victoria for both those needing support and the surrounding neighbourhood. We are committed to the safety of our communities and will continue to work closely with operators and the neighbourhood association to identify and address any safety concerns in the area.
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