May 25 - VicPD release pepper spray video

Good morning !

Our first news item is not a fair representation of what goes on on our downtown streets—day or night—but kids attacking each other with pepper spray catches our attention.

Incidents like that, though not common overall, don’t help change the perception many Victorians have: That their city ain’t what it used to be.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️ 14 / 9

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 13 / 10

Monday: ⛅ 17 / 10

7-day forecast

NEWS

VicPD releases video of downtown pepper spray attack

The CCTV footage shows three young people beating up another on Yates near Government. It was taken two weeks ago, past midnight, and appears to show three young people swarming another youth.

The youth is pepper-sprayed, punched at, pushed to the ground, and kicked repeatedly. VicPD said witnesses stepped in to break it up and the suspects were gone when officers arrived.

Survey suggests perceptions are down on downtown

The attack is not representative of a typical night downtown or exclusive to downtown—similar violence recently played out on the streets of Esquimalt. But results of a VicPD survey suggest Victorians are feeling less safe downtown, both day and night, than in the recent past.

In the VicPD study, 59% of respondents said they feel safe downtown during the day vs. 73% last year and 66% in 2022. At night, 22% said they feel safe downtown, a dip from the 26% last year and 24% in 2022 (though the margin for error was ±3%).

Jeff Bray of the Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA) told Capital Daily that the survey responses mirror what downtown business owners say they've heard more of this year.

Read Mark Brennae’s full story here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Road closures & CCTV deployment downtown today [3-5pm] due to rally for Gaza scheduled to begin at 2pm on Legislature lawn.

2 missing people from Nanaimo. [Duggan O’Hara] [Alysha-Nicole Dickenson]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Swiftsure Yacht Race sets sail today

The annual Swiftsure International Yacht Race is back for its 79th edition this weekend, drawing both local and international sailors on 131 boats for a weekend of short and long races in and around the Juan de Fuca Strait. 

Over half of all competitors are from the US, thanks to the timing of their Memorial Day long weekend, usually leading to an uptick in tourism for downtown Victoria. 

“Swiftsure”—a name that comes from an Elizabethan compound meaning “swift pursuer”—began in 1930, with six boats entering the Lightship Classic. In the 96 years since that first race, it’s built a reputation as the premier long-distance sailing race in the Pacific Northwest.

It’s not always smooth sailing, of course

Some years are remembered for their significant challenges. The Great Depression and the Second World War put a stop to Swiftsure from 1934-1947. COVID-19 86ed the races in 2020 and 2021.

In 1971, the winds were rough enough to break the masts of six boats, with 44 forced to quit the race. In 1976, Swiftsure’s only fatality occurred when Seattle skipper Wilbur Willard was swept from the cockpit of his boat off Bonilla Point. In 1982, safety crackdowns led to the disqualification of 31 yachts.

But these hiccups are rare—usually, the weather forecast is the biggest concern on sailors' minds. Bad weather can lead to a “Driftsure” year, where fog, strong currents, and weak winds lead boats to drop out.

First race begins at 10am today

That’s an hour later than previous years, in the hopes there’s a strong enough wind for sailors to work with. Each race will set sail within 10 minutes of the next. The cut-off time for the Three Long Course races will be midnight tomorrow.

Watch the sailboats set off at Clover Point, in the spectators’ tent, which will have commentary this morning. Or, head to Ship Point to see them return to the Inner Harbour this afternoon and tomorrow. You can also keep an eye on the races digitally using the online tracker.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🌕 May’s full moon: Reader Cecile sent this photo of this month’s full moon—known as the Flower Moon—in all its glory above the Lege. [Photo]

⚾ HarbourCats host families opportunity. [Be a billet]

🐴 The Beacon Hill donkeys sneak in a few bites of leaf after heavy rains brought the tree branches low enough. [Video]

🤝 Now hiring: 2nd Cook, the Dining Room Restaurant at The Butchart Gardens.

🗞️ In Other News

Life-threatening injuries for pedestrian, 79, hit while crossing intersection VicPD seek dashcam footage from Fisgard and Government yesterday around 11am. The driver cooperated with police. [VicPD]

Cyclist hit by marked Central Saanich Police vehicle
BC’s Independent Investigations Office (IIO) will investigate the Tuesday 10pm incident on Wallace. The IIO said it was informed by the police department the same day.

School liaison program presentation invites BC human rights commissioner
Esquimalt Police Board voted unanimously Tue. to invite commissioner Kasari Govender to hear a VicPD and mobile youth service team presentation on the effects of the program’s cancellation. [Times Colonist] In a 2022 letter, Govender recommended liason officer programs stop unless evidence was provided that they delivered benefits that unarmed civilians could not.

Sunday’s packed Oak Bay Half Marathon may see race ‘bandits’
For the first time in its 18 years, registration is sold out. So with 2K runners and volunteers out, organizers want help spotting race “bandits” or “pirates” with no bibs, who join in without registering. Interlopers’ names will be passed to organizers of other BC races. [CHEK]

🗓️ Things to do

💃Prom: Live music, art, & drag. An evening of live and interactive entertainment to support our local artists in Victoria, and to raise funds to help feed the people of Gaza: 108 Niagara. Today. 6:30-11pm. [Info]

🚨🎤 Greater Victoria Police Chorus. 40th-anniversary spring concert. This special concert promises an afternoon of familiar and delightful songs with the GVPC and featured guest soloist Stephanie Greaves. North Douglas Church. Today.. 2-4pm. [Info]

🧵CREAM Craft Crawl. Feel like learning something new and creating something for yourself?  Wander over to the Paul Phillips Hall (red brick building across from the Fernwood Square and CREAM Bazaar) to learn all kinds of crafts. Tomorrow. Pre-register for times. [Info]

🍨 Spring Fair FUNraiser. Silent auction, BBQ, bake sale, treat walk, various outdoor games, uniform sale, food, and drinks, and face painting. Christ Church Cathedral School Playground. Today. 11am-2pm. [Info]

🎼 Matters of Life and Death, explored in five works conducted by maestro Grant Harville. It’s the final program of the Civic Orchestra of Victoria’s 40th anniversary season. Today. 2-4pm. [Info] 

🎶❤️🤣 What the World Needs Now … Music, Love & Laughter. A fun and inspiring celebration of community with live music, comedy, and magic. Today. 7pm. [Info]

🎨 Scattered Artists Tour: Take this self-guided tour of artist studios across 10 locations in Saanich. Today and tomorrow. [Info]

🎶 Music in the Park: West Coast Soul Collective will perform at Lagoon West Park. Galloping Goose Sausage Company will also be serving food. Today. 5:30-7:30pm. [Info]

📖 Curiouser and Curiouser: Sidney and Peninsula Literary Society will host a Mad Hatter's Tea Party for readers and writers. SHOAL Centre. Today. 2pm. [Info]

🎵 The Choirs YYJ Spring Concert: The choir led by Marc Jenkins will perform at UVic’s The Farquar at UVic. Today. Doors 7pm. Show 7:30pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Friday’s headlines: Private Pym Island sells for $7M; Deer cull costs rise on Sidney Island; Hackers leak London Drugs data; And more. [May 24]  

Vic council pursues parking outside downtown. [Capital Daily]

Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary becomes KBA. [Capital Daily]

HarbourCats season tickets pickup mixer. [May 28]

New mural downtown in collaboration with CoolAid Society. See photos and learn the meaning behind it, here.

That’s it!

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