The Victoria Police Department has started a new initiative to increase its visibility across Victoria and Esquimalt in response to feedback received from its annual community survey.
The Police and Community Together initiative focuses on areas where police presence has been limited based on calls for service. Officers are assigned to 80 zones, about three or four blocks in size, to build relationships with residents in neighbourhoods where they aren’t usually seen as often.
“Year after year, citizens ask us for more visibility through the VicPD community survey, and this initiative is in direct response to that request. By fostering consistent and direct interactions, officers will address local concerns, enhance public safety, increase transparency, and reinforce public trust in VicPD,” said Chief Del Manak in a news release.
After launching the pilot in January, officers have conducted bike and foot patrols in business and residential areas, engaged with daycare groups, attended birthday parties at community centres, collaborated with schools and sports groups, organized pick-up basketball games, provided crime prevention and education at local businesses and organized neighbourhood and park clean-ups.
While officers will be more present in their community zones, residents are reminded to call 911, the E-Comm non-emergency line 250-995-7654, or to use the online reporting system to report crime or concerns.
