Victoria Police Department
Home / Blog / Safety Plan Announced For Pandora Avenue And Ellice Street 

Safety Plan Announced For Pandora Avenue And Ellice Street 

News Releases
Date Published: 06 Aug 2024, Last Updated: 15 May 2025

Date: Tuesday, August 6, 2024 Victoria, BC – VicPD has implemented a plan to increase safety in areas of concern in the city. On July 11, 2024, VicPD officers responded to an attack on a paramedic in the 900-block of Pandora Avenue. During their response, the crowd on Pandora Avenue swarmed police, resulting in a call for emergency back-up that required a response from all neighbouring police agencies. This incident is one example of increased violence and hostility that police and other first responders have been experiencing when responding to calls in certain areas of the city. Following this incident, the Victoria Fire Department and Emergency Health Services BC advised VicPD that, due to safety concerns for their staff, they would no longer respond to emergency medical calls within the 900 block Pandora Avenue unless they were escorted by VicPD officers. As a result, VicPD created a temporary safety plan for first responders. Since July 11, VicPD officers have been escorting Victoria Fire and BC Ambulance paramedics when they respond to emergency calls in the 800 to 1000-block of Pandora Avenue. However, there is a larger concern for public safety due to growing entrenchment and the increased densification of the encampments in these areas, increased hostility and violence, detection of various weapons throughout the encampments, and concern for vulnerable persons being victimized, and a routine police presence is no longer sufficient to mitigate public safety concerns. VicPD has created an approach to address these public safety concerns and ensure a safe environment for the vulnerable population, service providers, and first responders.  “Our goal is to maintain public safety by taking action to address criminality and street disorder, to find, target and prevent entrechment of criminals who are exploiting vulnerable persons in those areas, and to work with and support community partners and service providers in ongoing efforts to create long-term housing solutions,” said Chief Del Manak.  The Pandora and Ellice Safety Plan consists of special duty foot patrols, increased enforcement, and supporting our community partners in our shared goal to remove these encampments entirely. An overview of the plan can be found below; we are currently in week four of conducting dedicated special duty foot patrols. Since implementing increased police presence in these areas, numerous weapons including bear spray, batons, knives, a machete, and an imitation firearm have been seized from individuals. Officers have also recovered stolen property, including two stolen bikes and a stolen generator. There have been several individuals arrested for possession of illicit substances for the purpose of trafficking, and for outstanding warrants. “We’ve had great results with this plan so far, and the response from people in the area has been positive. I am proud of the work our officers have been doing and know that they are proud of the positive impact they are having on the community. However, we can only temporarily improve public safety with our part of this plan. The overall and sustained success of this plan is dependent on the continued support and cooperation of the City of Victoria, Bylaw Services, the service providers in the area, and the ability of BC Housing and Island Health to provide sheltering options and appropriate health care. We must all remain focused on the bottom line, which is to ensure there is a safe environment for everyone who is accessing services, working, or living in these areas,” concluded Chief Manak.  

-30- 

 

#Pandora And Ellice Safety Plan Overview 

Stage 1Foot Patrols: 4-6 weeks Teams of special duty officers will be dedicated to the 800 and 900-block of Pandora Avenue and the 500-block of Ellice Street, as well as other areas of concern, in shifts on alternating days each week. This overt presence will act as an immediate deterrent against criminal activities, increasing public safety, and will provide an opportunity for police to speak to residents, service providers and businesses, and to document any concerns. Police will be focused on activities and concerns related to violence including, but not limited to, assaults, threats, weapons offences, and drug trafficking. They will also identify and develop strategies to target violent criminals, persons who exploit the vulnerable population, and persons who pose a risk to the public.  Stage 2Sheltering Enforcement: 2-3 weeks VicPD will work directly with City of Victoria Bylaw and Public Works to remove problematic structures, including those more permanent in nature, abandoned tents, structures that only contain garbage or excrement, and structures that block safe passage or cause a safety concern. Special duty officers will be dedicated to assisting this effort, which will include: 

  • Delivering direct messaging addressing bylaws; 

  • Removal of all garbage and debris; 

  • Disposal of unoccupied structures; and 

  • Impoundment of remaining structures. 

The success of the Stage 2 decampment process will depend heavily on Bylaw Services and the ability of BC Housing and Island Health to provide sheltering options and appropriate health care.  Stage 3Encampment Removal VicPD will support partner agencies and service providers with their complete removal of the encampments within these areas. Their goal is to provide temporary or permanent housing to those living along Pandora Avenue and Ellice Street. VicPD will not be leading this effort but will provide advice during planning sessions and assist with the final removal of the encampments and securement of these areas. The success of the Stage 3 decampment process will depend on the City of Victoria, including Bylaw Services working in close partnership with VicPD, and BC Housing and Island Health providing housing alternatives and enhanced health care.  Budget This plan requires dedicated officers on special duty overtime shifts up to nine weeks. The total estimated cost for overtime is $79,550 
Home All Posts