Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 

Victoria, B.C. – A new initiative is helping increase the visibility of VicPD officers in Victoria and Esquimalt neighbourhoods. The Police and Community Together initiative is transforming how officers connect with people in Victoria and Esquimalt, to serve residents more effectively and help maintain feelings of safety in neighbourhoods, in response to feedback received in our annual Community Survey. 

The project focuses on areas where police presence has traditionally been limited based on calls for service. Officers are assigned to specific zones to proactively build positive relationships with residents in neighbourhoods where they aren’t usually seen as often, to better understand community needs, and to make police more accessible to everyone. 

Victoria and Esquimalt have been divided into 80 small geographic zones, each roughly three to four blocks in size, with the downtown area receiving focused attention outside of this initiative, such as our Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement Program (C-STEP), which provides increased proactive foot and bike patrols. Each officer in the Patrol Division is assigned to a community engagement zone. They will conduct proactive patrols and engage with residents and businesses in that zone throughout the year. 

“Year after year, citizens ask us for more visibility through the VicPD Community Survey, and this initiative is in direct response to that request. By fostering consistent and direct interactions, officers will address local concerns, enhance public safety, increase transparency, and reinforce public trust in VicPD,” said Chief Del Manak. “This initiative represents a transformative approach to community engagement, accountability, accessibility, and relationship-building as the foundation for safer and more connected neighborhoods especially to those that feel underserved by police presence.” 

The Police and Community Together Initiative launched in January 2025. Some of the activities officers have engaged in so far this year include:  

  • Bike and foot patrols in business and residential areas
  • Engaging with daycare groups, showing them police vehicles 
  • Attending birthday parties at community centres
  • Collaborating with schools and sport groups  
  • Organizing impromptu pick-up basketball games  
  • Providing crime prevention and education at local businesses 
  • Organizing neighborhood and park clean-ups  

Constables Stolz and Lafontine conducting a walkabout in a community engagement zone

Officers report back that the Police and Community Together initiative is encouraging more positive interactions and creating a sense of safety and community. The presence of officers in their designated community zones has been welcomed by both businesses and residents. 

While officers will be more present in their community zones, residents are reminded to call 911, the E-Comm non-emergency line 250-995-7654, or use the online reporting system to report crime or concerns. 

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