Every time Victoria city staff report back to council, the report will outline key objectives in the official community plan and implications on things such as cost.
Mayor Marianna Alto would like to see community safety among those routine considerations, one of many actions council will consider Thursday (June 19) when it discusses implementation of the Community and Safety Wellbeing Plan.
The city embarked on development and implementation of the plan as part of its 2023 strategic planning. The resulting 79-page proposed plan appears before council Thursday (June 19).
“It is, I think, a watershed moment for council to determine whether they wish to make this a priority. I can’t imagine they won’t,” Alto told media Monday in front of City Hall. “I don’t think there has been a single issue that has been uppermost in minds of residents in every municipality across the country than community safety and well-being.”
The plan, created by a panel of community leaders selected by Alto, is the result of 18 months of public engagement, data analysis, discussion and debate. Its recommendations come under three themes: policing, service providers and internal city services.
The city can’t create community safety without robust police services, Alto said, noting Victoria Police Chief Del Manak is among those who helped craft the plan, and has voiced support for it. Incoming chief Fiona Wilson, who takes the helm in September, is aware of the broad strokes and is supportive.
It looks at working alongside non-profits, which provide most of the key services for vulnerable Victoria residents, Alto said.
“We work well with them … and we want to do more from the perspective of not just of being supportive financially, but of being supportive partners in helping them evolve in the way that they work together; in the way that they seek funding; in the way that they analyze how they do provide the incredible support to our most vulnerable people.”
The third internal piece would include things such as that intentional look at community safety in all things bylaw services, parks, maintenance, public space design, land use and more. Anything the city does would have the added filter.
“This is an opportunity for us to reorient pretty much everything that we do from the perspective of the lens of community safety and well-being,” Alto said.
“It’s important for us to look at everything we do and ask the question, ‘What impact does this have on the community safety and well-being of the city?’ And if we can’t answer that clearly, crisply and succinctly, then we need to ask the question again and again and again.”
Victoria's Community and Safety Wellbeing Plan is set for discussion at council Thursday (June 19). Visit victoria.ca for the full agenda including report and ways to participate.
