Uplands Park is home to a protest camp this week.
The tent city that started in a park behind municipal hall in Oak Bay Oct. 10 moved to Willows Beach Oct. 17 and Uplands Park last night.
Willows Beach right now. Thx #oakbay Parks Dept. You're awesome! pic.twitter.com/I8ikL4lFaJ
— Oak Bay Police (@OakBayPolice) October 25, 2017
“That came as a bit of a surprise and a disappointment. We had been assured now twice that they would on a certain date leave Oak Bay and once again they’ve not done that. However, we will continue to behave in a respectful manner as we always do,” said Deputy Chief Ray Bernoties, Oak Bay Police Department. “I immediately went to the cenotaph last night when I learned they were moving there and not keeping their word to leave Oak Bay.”
He was told they’ll leave Oak Bay Tuesday (Oct. 31), Bernoties said, adding in this complex situation, the department will constantly re-evaluate the response and analyze the situation.
“We’re stepping up our patrols on bike, on foot and vehicularly patrolling the area. You’ll likely see us more than you’ve seen us before in that general area just to ensure we keep the peace,” he said.
There have been no added policing costs to date, Bernoties said.
“We have not had any violence or property damage of any kind. We have responded to a couple emergency calls for medical assistance,” Bernoties said. They also arrested one man on a warrant.
Chrissy Brett leads the travelling tent city, she says protests the local housing crisis. The camp of about 12 tents travels to various locations around Greater Victoria one week at a time. Brett, said the movement is about “homes, not hate.”
Brett cites examples of veterans and paramedics not supported with their post traumatic stress disorder as examples discovered during the tent city outside Victoria provincial court that came down in August 2016.
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