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I don’t know about you, but I’m meeting a lot of American tourists doing their best impressions of Canadians lately. They’re saying sorry a lot.

Our first story today comes from the police files in Saanich. Our second answers the question: “Why did the chicken tacos cross the bridge?”

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: 🌤️ 21 / 12

Tomorrow: ☀️ 25 / 15

Saturday: 🌦️ 20 / 14

7-day forecast

BC’s privacy monitor says the Saanich Police Department (SPD) needs to update its privacy training and policies after one of its officers gossiped to family and friends about a case he was working on.

“Further, the evidence before me, which the SPD has not contradicted, is that it did not even reply to the complainant’s letter in which she raised her concerns about the unauthorized use and disclosure of her personal information,” said Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) adjudicator Rene Kimmett in the ruling.

The complainant is a woman involved in a dispute who had issued a criminal complaint against another individual in June 2022. The woman, who is not identified in the ruling, complained to the SPD—and later to both the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner and to the privacy commissioner—that the officer (also not named) had used, disclosed, and failed to protect her personal information in violation of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). 

The SPD contends the officer didn’t do anything improper with the woman’s personal information, but the adjudicator saw things differently.

“I find that the officer used the complainant’s personal information for the purpose of gossiping with his friends and family about her police file,” Kimmett wrote.

“As an example, when the complainant asked if the officer’s ex-partner knew who she was, the officer replied by saying that ‘anybody in [his] life’ knows of the 'horror’ associated with the complainant because he would give them updates about ‘all the drama’ to the point that people were invested and asking, ‘What’s new with the file?’”

Kimmett pointed to a text message in which the officer told the woman he was interested in a “casual sexual relationship” with her. It was not revealed whether the two had one.

The SPD said it will review the decision.

Traffic disruptions at Burnside and Washington, now through Aug. 7. [CRD] 

Lane closures for construction today and tomorrow:
Cook and Finlayson
Cook and Hillside to Summit
Quadra and Hillside
Quadra and Kings

Flail mowing at Macaulay Park: Keep dogs on leash and remain at least 150 feet away from the tractor. Today, 8am-2:30pm. [Esquimalt]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

On the water today? Check the tide times for Victoria.

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A popular Cook Street Village taco spot is relocating to Esquimalt—and it’s opening its very own kitchen for the first time.

The owners of Benjo’s Tacos announced this week that they bought a food truck that will serve as their full-time kitchen. The truck will be permanently parked at 900 Carlton Terrace, except when it’s out at markets and events. 

Benjo’s Tacos was opened by husband-and-wife duo Johl and Samantha Green in early 2022, when they created a makeshift kitchen inside a convenience store, using two griddles to cook their tacos. 

Both Greens were newcomers to the food industry when they launched Benjo’s—the restaurant was named after their son, Benjamin—and Johl, who is also the head chef, is a self-taught cook whose skills were honed through a love for Mexican cuisine. 

The convenience store site was damaged in a fire months after opening, leaving the couple unsure of Benjo’s future. But when the owner of Empire Donuts on Cook offered to share its kitchen with the taco business, the Greens said they were excited to bring their operations to a “proper kitchen.”

For nearly five years, Benjo’s has built a strong following at its donut shop location, and now, it’s ready to begin a new chapter—this time in the municipality where they both grew up: Esquimalt.

“This was definitely a hard decision for us, as we love all our Cook Street regulars, but we’ve always known Esquimalt is home,” the Greens said in a social media post. “This was always in the long-term plan for us.”

Benjo’s last day on Cook will be Aug. 29.

“We are hoping to be up and running with the truck in the beginning of September, but that depends on how quickly paperwork can move,” the Greens said.

The pair plans to add some new menu items to their 100% gluten-free menu, including vegan and vegetarian options.

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🎼 Symphony in the Summer Festival kicks off tonight with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 at Christ Church Cathedral. 

⚾ HarbourCats host Port Angeles tonight at Wilson Group Stadium at RAP. 

🚒 Oak Bay Firefighters Charitable Foundation 50/50 draw to rebuild Firefighters Park. 

🐩 BCSPCA municipal election survey is open until Aug. 7.

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2 more Victoria beaches fall under bacterial level advisories 
Cadboro Gyro Park Beach and Gonzalez Bay Beach both hit the advisory list yesterday with unsatisfactory bacteriology. Water testing at both beaches came back on July 27 with high Enterococci—fecal indicator bacteria—levels. “While public beaches are not technically ‘closed’ to public access, it is highly recommended not to enter the water while an advisory is in place,” Island Health said. Ross Bay Beach is under a similar advisory. Beaches at Beaver, Thetis, and Prior lakes are under blue-green algae advisories. [Island Health]

Firefighters douse Tuesday evening brush fire along Dallas
The fire was reported at 9:30pm and the City of Victoria says the firefighters were able to put out the flames in roughly five minutes. They stayed on scene for 30 more minutes to dig up the area and water it down. Firefighters say the blaze was minor but serves as a reminder of the risks of beach fires. Despite campfires being banned year-round in Victoria, fire crews are called to hundreds of beach and brush fires every summer—some of which are more difficult to access. [CHEK]

WestJet flight attendants sign wind-down plan ahead of possible strike
WestJet and the union representing some 4,400 flight attendants have agreed to an "operational wind-down" plan should a strike go ahead as soon as this Sunday. The plan, signed this week, outlines how to ground planes and get cabin crew back home in the event of a work stoppage. As the deadline for a deal looms, some flights could be grounded by tomorrow. WestJet passengers with flights scheduled any time between today and Aug. 4 can make a one-time change or cancel it with no fee. [Canadian Press]

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📚 Summer Stories in the Park: Esquimalt recreation staff will read children's books by Canadian authors at Saxe Point today. 10-11am. [Info]

⚜️ Les Rendez-Vous Victoria: Plaza Franco: La Société Francophone de Victoria presents a musical showcase highlighting francophone artists. Ship Point. Today. 5-8pm. [Intro]

🙇 Elevate: Victoria’s Only Spiritual Salon: Soul-stirring live jazz and inspiring talks with Rev. Lesia. Meditation, reflection, and meaningful conversation. Victoria Truth Centre. Today. 7-8:30pm. [Info]

❓Trivia Thursday: Rally the troops and combine your knowledge to win swag, gift cards, and of course, yummy pizza. Brickyard Pizza. Tonight. 7:30-10pm. [Info]

😆 Make Some Noise Comedy Show: Grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy a night packed with big laughs and unforgettable comedy. Brass Monkey Taproom. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🎶 Pablo Cardenas: The Cuban jazz pianist will perform his tribute to the Buena Vista Social Club at The Coda tomorrow. 9:30pm. [Info]

📽️ Labyrinth: See a free outdoor screening of the David Bowie classic as part of the Free-B Film Festival in Beacon Hill Park. Aug. 7. [Info]

🍹 SoberFest: Bif Naked and Fefe Dobson will headline this alcohol- and drug-free music festival at Starlight Stadium. Aug. 15. 3pm. [Info]

🏰 Market on the Green at Craigdarroch Castle: Enjoy the wares of 30 artisans and the music of Fender Bender on the south lawn. Aug. 15. Craigdarroch Castle. 11am-4pm. [Info]

Wednesday’s headlines: Dozens of fugitives living in Victoria; $22K in fines handed out during campfire ban patrols; West Coast Trail conditions prompt warnings. [July 29]

Victoria influencer dies: Rebecca Luna shared her early-onset Alzheimer’s experience. [Victoria Buzz]

Father of teen killer suing Langford construction company for wrongful dismissal. [CTV]

Egged on: Saanich PD seeks additional victims of June 4 egg attacks on Interurban near Marigold and Shelbourne at McKenzie. [CHEK]

Dutch Bakery and Diner on Fort turns 70 tomorrow. [Times Colonist]

Intersection closure: Finlayson and Burnside, through tomorrow. 6pm-12am. [City of Vic]

Saanich road closure: Sea View between Miramontes and Bedford through tomorrow, 8am-3pm.

Pacific FC hosts Supra du Quebec tomorrow at 7pm at Starlight Stadium.  

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