Victoria police on Tuesday (Aug. 6) announced a phased plan with the goal of removing homeless encampments along Pandora Avenue and Ellice Street following an incident that left a paramedic with injuries.
After the paramedic was injured during an alleged assault last month, the police force has been escorting other first responders to calls within the 900-block of Pandora Avenue.
Service providers and family who knew the suspect said the incident happened after unsuccessful pleas to get the man help for his severe mental health challenges and a seizure disorder. But VicPD said the incident and people on the block allegedly crowding police who were subduing the suspect points to increased hostility first responders face in certain parts of the city.
VicPD on Tuesday said its $80,000 Pandora and Ellice Safety Plan will lead to a safe environment for vulnerable people, service providers and first responders. The costs are based on special duty officers working overtime shifts over nine weeks.
"Our goal is to maintain public safety by taking action to address criminality and street disorder, to find, target and prevent entrenchment 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,” police Chief Del Manak said in a statement.
The first stage of the plan has assigned officers to conduct foot patrols in two blocks of Pandora Avenue, the 500-block of Ellice Street and in other areas over the last month. VicPD said the presence of officers will act as a deterrent to crime and has resulted in the seizure of some weapons and recovery of property that was allegedly stolen, like two bikes and a generator.
Manak said there have already been foot patrols for the past four weeks, which has resulted in the seizures of a number of weapons and stolen property, and the arrest of several others for outstanding warrants.
The second stage focuses on sheltering enforcement and is expected to last around three weeks. The plan's outline states this will include working with city officials to remove problematic structures like more permanent setups, abandoned tents and ones only containing garbage. Officers will be removing garbage and debris, disposing of unoccupied structures and impounding other remaining setups during this phase.
VicPD noted the enforcement stage's success will depend on the ability of provincial agencies to provide shelter options and health-care supports.
The final phase will be led by service providers whose goal is to provide housing for those living along the Pandora or Ellice stretches. Police will take a supporting role in those efforts.
"We do know that, and this is the reality, that there are many people that are extremely, extremely unwell, and that's where we're putting more pressure on the health authority to be able to do more, and we're hoping that they are able to step up. But again, they're challenged with resources and other priorities just as much as anyone else's," said Manak.
