Sept 12 - VicPD take step back on Pandora project

Good morning !

It’s been feeling a lot more like fall lately, but I’m keeping my fingers and toes crossed for some sunnier weather than expected for this weekend’s Rifflandia Fest (especially on Sunday when I’ll be there!).

Are you attending the festival this weekend? Let us know who you’re excited to see!

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 7 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 18 / 13

Tomorrow: ☁️ 16 / 12

Saturday: 🌧️ 18 / 11

7-day forecast

NEWS

Victoria Police ready for next phase of Pandora-Ellice Safety Plan

VicPD says conditions have improved on the streets after two months of increased policing that followed a July 11 assault, when a paramedic was kicked in the face while answering a call in the 900-block of Pandora. Since that incident, firefighters and paramedics have been attending calls on the block with a police escort. These escorts won’t be required anymore according to Jamie McRae, VicPD’s deputy chief of operations, who says paramedics and the fire department “felt it was no longer necessary.”

“They felt, after a number of weeks where our safety plan was in place, we had improved safety in those areas,” McRae said. Emergency response services still call for police help “occasionally” but it will not be standard procedure moving forward.

McRae said VicPD’s safety plan has focused specifically on targeting crime in the area, arresting 50 people—including 10 wanted on warrants—and confiscating weapons and illicit drugs. 

The reduction in crime and encampment size marks the end of Phase 2 in VicPD’s Pandora-Ellice Safety Plan and the police are ready to move to Phase 3 where no camping will be permitted on Pandora, McRae said. 

He said police will “take a step back from the leadership role” and are waiting for the greenlight from other partners, including city bylaw, BC Housing, Island Health and local outreach organizations before moving onto Phase 3. 

The timeline for the start of Phase 3 is unclear as it depends on whether all individuals on Pandora are provided adequate housing. Both McRae and Mayor Marianne Alto say finding the right housing for each individual is imperative to keeping encampments out of the city, but comes with a unique set of challenges.

Read the full story by Robyn Bell here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

🚲 Last day for Oak Bay bike route survey. 

⚠️ Sooke Fire Rescue scam alert. [Report it]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Latest attack on the Galloping Goose raises safety concerns

Last week, a violent incident on the Galloping Goose put the spotlight back on safety concerns on the trail for pedestrians and cyclists. A man wearing a balaclava attacked four young people near Atkins Avenue and Westwind Drive using bear spray and a knife. The incident highlighted the safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists on the trail. 

Over the past decade, there have been multiple assaults along the 60km trail that goes from Victoria to Sooke, many of which occurred at night when people were on the trail alone. Some other incidents include an August 2013 attack on a Saanich woman, a June 2014 sexual assault near Jacklin Road, and several robberies and assaults in subsequent years. The most recent attack in July 2022 involved a man exposing himself to a woman in Metchosin.

This latest incident on Sept. 4 is renewing calls for increased lighting and other safety measures on the trail. A 2019 CRD survey found that the top user concerns were “increase in user volumes and speed, lack of separation between trail uses, poor trail etiquette, lack of lighting, safety concerns at intersections, and crime.” There are plans for improved lighting on specific trail sections—but not throughout the trail.  

As for the attack on Sept. 4, the West Shore RCMP confirmed that a 32-year-old man is in custody and facing multiple charges. 

Read the full story by Sidney Coles for the Westshore.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🥍 Victoria Shamrocks 9 Six Nations Chiefs 13. Chiefs win Mann Cup Final 4-1

🌷 Fall flowers: Crocuses bloom in the Lieutenant Governor's gardens. [Facebook photo]

🎯 Opportunities are appearing! Choose from 50+ programs with Continuing Studies at UVic. Gain new skills and stay current in a competitive job market.*

🦅🌫 Soaring raptors & drifting fog in Desolation Sound. [Kristian Gillies photos]

🌿 Capital region residents are invited to attend an introductory workshop about gardening with drought-resistant native plants. Registration includes a pack of locally grown native seeds.*

🦭 ‘Paparazzi’ capture a seal basking in the sunlight on the Breakwater on Mon. (Remember to always provide ample space when photographing wildlife.)

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🗞️ In Other News

Snuneymuxw First Nation buys Elements casino in Westshore
The East Island nation took over Casino Nanaimo in June in a deal with the same seller. Elements, near the border between View Royal, and Colwood, has 750 slot machines and 23 live tables. SFN Chief Mike Wyse said it’s not clear how much revenue the two casinos will generate but he expects a big impact on SFN members. “We’ve always relied on government funding to get us through, so now we’re going to be able to look at opportunities here that support us even better, and sooner,” he told Nanaimo News Now.

Province sets up bear death panel, will review conservation officer training 
More than 500 black bears are euthanized each year in BC—and the provincial government is partnering with bear welfare group the Grizzly Bear Foundation, to reduce that number. The group said it’s a positive step to see the government open to working with outside experts in finding ways to coexist with bears. The province said conservation officers need to “have the trust of the communities they serve.” [City News]

Woman breaks into James Bay home, takes a bath and shower before arrest
The woman pushed through the electronic driveway gate at the home while the homeowners were outside and began rambling incoherently. The couple went inside but forgot to lock the upper suite of their home, which has a separate entrance. The woman entered the suite and when she refused to leave, the couple called the police. After 30 minutes of negotiation with the naked woman, they were able to arrest her without resistance. [Times Colonist]

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🗓️ Things to do

🌺 Korean Cultural Festival. Camosun College celebrates Korean traditions, arts, and cuisine. Na`tsa`maht on the Lansdowne campus today. 11am-3pm. [Info]

🎤 Virginia to Vegas: Alex Porat brings his Greatest Hits tour to Victoria. Wicket Hall tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎸 10th SALT New Music Festival: Featuring diverse and thought-provoking free music from the 20th and 21st centuries. On now at various venues at UVic through Sept. 20. [Info]

🎭 Field Research: Two one-act plays by Nicholas Guerreiro, Annie Konstantinov, and Ryan Kniel at Intrepid Theatre Company. Tomorrow 7pm; Sat. 2pm. & 7pm. [Info]

🎶 Rifflandia: Victoria’s biggest music festival is back in its new location, featuring headliners REZZ, TLC, and Feist. Matullia Lands at Rock Bay. Tomorrow-Sun. [Info]

🏮 Esquimalt Lantern Festival: Check out this annual festival to explore beautiful lanterns lit after sundown. Enjoy live music, local food vendors, and glow-in-the-dark face paint at Gorge Park tomorrow. 6pm. [Info]

🎵 Blue Plate Combo: Hear a remarkable ensemble of seasoned musicians who have dedicated their lives to the rich and soulful sounds of jazz and blues at Hermann’s tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🍞 Sourdough workshop: Join Megan Hennis for a comprehensive sourdough baking class where you will learn to create a loaf from start to finish at Victoria Public Market. Sun. 5-8pm. [Info]

🏠 Guided tours of the Ross Bay Villa Historic House and Garden: Learn about the Roscoe family, their myriad connections in Victoria and England. Sat. 2pm. [Video] [Info]

🏒 Victoria Royals ‘24-25 Season Kickoff: Meet the players & coaching staff and get excited for the Home Opener on Sept. 20. Ship Point. Sat. 2pm. [Info]

🍵 The Victoria Tea Festival Revival: Activities include a tea fair with tastings, a tea symposium, live music, food, ceramics gallery, documentary screenings, and the World Tea Championship at Nootka Court. Oct. 5. [Info]

🧑‍🎤 Pacific Edge Chorus: Are you a woman who likes to sing? Learn to sing a cappella in a fun, free, six-week workshop at Gordon United Church Hall. Sept. 17-Oct. 22. [Info]

👟Terry Fox Run: Dallas to St. Charles and back. There are no entry fees, and while donations are encouraged, there are no minimum donations required. Sun. Mile Zero/Terry Fox statue. 10am. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Wednesday’s headlines: Victoria No. 5 in the country for apartment and condo rental prices; City disables commenting on official social media platforms; Construction worker survives heavy scare; And more. [Sept. 11]

Single-use bylaw comes into effect in Dec. in Victoria. [Capital Daily]

Pop star Pink visits the Island before rocking Vancouver. [Lake Cowichan Gazette]

Business Community Meet & Greet. Sept. 19.

Lion’s mane jellyfish: See the unique creature swimming near East Sooke. [Facebook photos]

Lovely lilies in the Nanaimo water. [Photo]

That’s it!

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