Date: Friday, July 12, 2024
Victoria BC – Over the last number of months, Victoria Police officers have seen an escalation in aggressive behaviour and violence towards first responders, such as BC Emergency Health Services paramedics, firefighters and police. This behaviour is unacceptable and as the Chief Constable, I will not tolerate it.
The incident from Pandora Avenue last night may feel like a wake-up call, but it only reflects one piece of the trend our front-line officers have been experiencing. This issue is not limited to the 900-block of Pandora. During an incident in the 500-block of Ellice Street on June 17, a large number of community members surrounded and threw rocks at officers, creating a volatile situation. Since then, officers have experienced even more escalated aggression and violence throughout the city.
Today I held an emergency meeting with the City of Victoria Mayor, Marianne Alto, and leaders from Victoria Fire Department and BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS). We determined that for the safety of their staff, Victoria Fire and BCEHS will not respond to calls for service in the 900-block of Pandora Avenue without police presence. Let me be clear: this is a required step in response to escalated tensions we have observed, but it is going to create significant workload pressures on VicPD and reduce timeliness of medical response, in situations where every second counts. This will also reduce our ability to respond to other calls for service, directly impacting Victoria and Esquimalt residents when they need us most.
I recognize the 900-block of Pandora Avenue is made up of many individuals with different needs, backgrounds and circumstances that have brought them to this place. Some have more complex needs than others; however, regardless of the circumstances or need, those who are there to save lives should not feel concerned about their own safety.
Next week, I will be meeting with members of our VicPD Senior Leadership Team to ensure we have a comprehensive strategy that includes support from service providers in the block and the City of Victoria, to address these legitimate safety concerns. Our strategy will include a marked increase in the visible police presence in the 900-block of Pandora Avenue as we rebuild relationships with our street community.
In the interim, I have provided direction to our frontline supervisors to exercise a high degree of vigilance when officers are deployed to the 900-block of Pandora, and several other areas in the city where there is a higher propensity for violence against our officers. It is critical that we respond to calls for service with sufficient resources to maintain a level of safety while officers are engaged in the lawful execution of their duties.
Officers and other first responders have every right to feel safe during the course of their duties, and to return home safely at the end of their shift.
It is time we send a clear message that those who put their lives on the line to protect and to serve this community deserve our respect and support. My thoughts are with the paramedic who was injured and the psychological impact events like this have on all first responders. It is my priority that we do all that we can to prevent this trend of aggressive behaviour from continuing.
-30-