Date: Thursday, December 19, 2024 

Files: Various 

Victoria, BC – In a four-day operation spanning December 6-7 and 13-14, VicPD officers made 42 arrests and recovered close to $10,000 worth of stolen merchandise in the latest iteration of Project Lifter. This marks the third edition of the ongoing initiative targeting repeat and violent retail theft.  

Project Lifter was launched in December of 2023, to combat the increasing issue of retail theft, which impacts both businesses and consumers. The operation is funded by the Special Investigations and Targeted Enforcement (SITE) program – a three-year pilot aimed at increasing police capacity to collaborate on new initiatives and supplement police resources for targeted enforcement on addressing violent, repeat offending. SITE funding comes from the Provincial Government’s Safer Communities Action Plan. Since the project’s inception, a total of 174 arrests have been made, spanning 15 days of operations, and more than $50,000 in stolen merchandise has been recovered. 

The most recent rendition of the project took place over two weeks, with coordinated efforts to disrupt ongoing shoplifting at retail stores in Victoria. During the operation, officers from VicPD’s Community Services Division and Patrol Division closely collaborated with retail loss prevention teams to identify and apprehend offenders engaging in retail theft. One individual, who had been arrested twice within an hour at two separate locations, was released by the courts earlier that morning for similar charges out of Campbell River, while another, who had been arrested during the last iteration of Project Lifter, was arrested again. 

“Project Lifter highlights the prevalence of retail theft that impacts our business community, and the effectiveness of our efforts to combat it,” said VicPD Chief Del Manak. “We are committed to addressing the long-term challenges posed by repeat and often violent theft, ensuring we send a clear message these behaviours are not acceptable. Our work is not finished.” 

While work is ongoing to recommend charges for the offenders, some are being referred to the Restorative Justice program, which prioritizes accountability and resolution over retribution. Restorative Justice offers a structured environment where offenders and those impacted by an offense – whether individuals or businesses – can engage in dialogue to address the effects of the incident and collaboratively determine meaningful steps for reparation. This approach emphasizes understanding, taking responsibility, and fostering constructive solutions, creating a pathway for resolution outside the court system.  

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Read More 

Project Lifter V1: Project Lifter | VicPD Makes 109 Arrests And Recovers Over $29,000 In Stolen Merchandise During Eight-Day Operation – VicPD.ca 

Project Lifter V2: Project Lifter | Close To $14,000 In Stolen Merchandise Recovered During Project Targeting Chronic Retail Theft  – VicPD.ca