Township of Esquimalt: 2024 – Q1
As part of our ongoing Open VicPD transparency initiative, we introduced Community Safety Report Cards as a way to keep everyone up to date with how the Victoria Police Department is serving the public. These report cards, which are published quarterly in two community-specific versions (one for Esquimalt and one for Victoria), offer both quantitative and qualitative information about crime trends, operational incidents, and community engagement initiatives. It is hoped that, through this proactive sharing of information, our citizens have a better understanding of how VicPD is working toward its strategic vision of “A Safer Community Together.”
Esquimalt Community Information
New Cybrecrime Section Launched
In the first quarter of 2024, we launched the new Cybercrime section at VicPD. Already, this unit has had an impact, contributing to the recovery of funds in a $1.7 Million fraud and money laundering case, and recovering cryptocurrency for four other victims. Cybercrime staff have been raising awareness of cyber security within VicPD, increasing our capacity to educate and better serve our communities.
Welcoming New Faces
On January 4, we welcomed seven new recruit constables to VicPD, and on March 8, we celebrated four graduates from the Justice Institute of BC. These new constables have now hit the streets on Patrol.
Officer Recognition
On January 30, frontline personnel, and members of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT) were recognized at an awards ceremony hosted by the Saanich Police Department. The GVERT received a team award from the National Tactical Officers Association.
In January, VicPD’s Strike Force arrested a man with a known association to the B.C. gang conflict, after he was observed selling vape products to students just outside school property.
As part of an ongoing covert operation, dubbed Project Halo, officers observed the suspect selling vape products and interacting with students on and near school property in and around the Greater Victoria area during the day. The suspect was seen selling to youth across from local schools including Esquimalt High School and Reynolds Secondary School, and was also observed interacting with youth on the property of North Saanich Middle School after school hours.
Items seized from the suspect include:
- 859 nicotine vapes
- 495 THC vapes
- 290 THC gummies
- 1.6 kilograms of dried cannabis
- Four imitation firearms
- Three knives
- Two masks
- Composite brass knuckles
Calls for Service
Calls for service to Esquimalt were down over the last quarter, but in line with the same time period last year. Looking more closely at the call categories, we see a continued decrease in Assist calls, bringing it below the same time period last year. Calls for Property, Violence and Traffic are down slightly over last year, but calls for Social Order are up significantly over the same period from last year.
Files of Note
File Number: 24-2007
Responding to a report from BC Corrections that an Esquimalt resident had breached house arrest, two Integrated Canine Units and several support members attended Esquimalt and observed the suspect near a residential property. Despite the suspect stealing and changing his shoes at the property, PSD Bruno was successful in tracking and locating the suspect, who was then arrested.
File Number: 24-6308 and 24-6414
A person wanted on warrants for home invasions fled from police. When they were taken into custody during a later search of their storage lockers, they were found to be in possession of three firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun, an assault rifle and a hunting rifle, as well as ammunition, despite a firearms and ammunition prohibition.
An investigation into illegal tobacco trafficking led to discovery of $130,000 CAD cash, contraband cigarettes with a street value of $500,000 and a significant quantity of cannabis in the suspect’s Esquimalt apartment.
File Number: 24-7093
A complainant in Esquimalt was defrauded of more than $900,000 USD after investing in an online bank.
File Number: 24-9251
Esquimalt Division officers responded to a complaint of approximately 20 youth fighting in Memorial Park. Alcohol consumption was a factor, and with additional support and a total of six units responding, officers returned the youth to the care of their parents.
Traffic Safety and Enforcement
Q1 saw continued efforts by our Traffic Section to focus on community safety. They conducted proactive work in the following three areas: impaired driving, school zone education/enforcement, and high visibility at a number of intersections and locations which have been of concern to community members.
Our work to take action against gangs in Greater Victoria continues; VicPD hosted a Gang Symposium in February in Esquimalt, bringing together officers from across Vancouver Island to share information and raise awareness about current gang presence and recruitment tactics.
During the month of March, VicPD Traffic Officers, Volunteers and Reserves conducted a Distracted Driving awareness and enforcement campaign, writing a total of 81 tickets.
Inspector Brown continues to provide lockdown and security procedures for local infrastructure. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) assessments are also provided to the community, with additional officers being certified.
VicPD Volunteers continue to be active in Esquimalt, allocating 30 per cent of their Crime Watch shifts to the Township.
Lunar New Year
On February 11, Inspector Brown attended the Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration in Esquimalt Town Square.
Sports for Youth
In January and February, the Victoria City Police Athletic Association hosted Junior and Senior Basketball Tournaments for youth.
Polar Plunge for Special Olympics BC
On February 18, Chief Manak, Insp. Brown and a contingent of VicPD officers and reserves participated in the annual Polar Plunge event to help raise money for Special Olympics. The team raised almost $14,000 and Chief Manak was recognized as the top law enforcement fundraiser in the province.
DAC Dance Party
On February 19, VicPD joined the Greater Victoria Police Diversity Advisory Committee’s Dance Party at Saanich Commonwealth Pool.
Pink Shirt Day
Pink Shirt Day on February 28 was a colourful occasion with Esquimalt Division staff participating in this important anti-bullying initiative.
Welcome Pole Dedication Ceremony
On March 2, Chief Manak and Insp. Brown attended the Town Square with local Indigenous leaders, members of council, and community members to observe a Welcome Pole Ceremony, hosted by the Township Community Arts Council. The artwork is the creation of Gitskan Nation carver, Rupert Jeffrey.
Coffee With A Cop
On March 7, Cst. Ian Diack organized a ‘Coffee with a Cop’ event at the Esquimalt Tim Horton’s. This was a fantastic opportunity for community members to informally interact with members of the Esquimalt Division including Insp. Brown, the Community Resource Officers, and members of the Traffic Section.
Greater Victoria Police Camp
March 16-23, we supported the Greater Victoria Police Foundation’s Police Camp, where 60 youth learned the basics of policing from volunteer active and retired police officers.
New Volunteers
And on March 17, we welcomed 14 new volunteers. With a total of 85 VicPD Volunteers, this is the largest cadre of volunteers we’ve had in a long time.
At the end of the first quarter, the net financial position is approximately 25.8 % of the total budget, which is slightly over budget but reasonable, taking into consideration that benefit expenditures are higher for the first two quarters of the year due to CPP and EI Employer Deductions. Also, we have incurred about $600,000 in retirement expenditures due to many retirements occurring early in the year. These expenditures have no operating budget, and if there is insufficient surplus to cover these expenditures at year-end, they will be charged against the employee benefit liability.