Victoria police has unveiled a “safety plan” to dismantle the city’s downtown homeless encampment. The department cited the need to address public safety concerns after weeks of escorting first responders to the area to ensure their protection during emergency calls.
The phased plan was announced after police said on July 12 that Victoria Fire and BC Emergency Health Services would not respond to calls in the 900-block of Pandora Avenue without police present. This decision followed an incident a day earlier where a paramedic was attacked by a person receiving medical assistance in the area.
