Sept 21 - Province orders new safety plan for Victoria schools

Good morning !

Welcome to the weekend! Today we have stories on SD61’s safety plan order, noise traffic cameras, and a state of emergency declared up Island.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 17 / 11

Tomorrow: ⛅ 17 / 11

Monday: ⛅ 20 / 11

7-day forecast

NEWS

Victoria school board ordered by province to develop safety plan

Education Minister Rachna Singh this week ordered SD61’s board of directors to work with local police departments to address safety issues through an action plan.

This order comes as the ongoing debate of student police liaison officers (SPLO) in schools has bubbled up throughout the year. SPLOs were fully removed from SD61 schools in May 2023—VicPD had already removed its SPLOs when it stopped allocating funds to the program four years earlier. This came after the BC human rights commissioner called for the end of the program in schools until an “evidence-based need” for it was proven. In Feb. 2024, VicPD called for the reinstatement of these officers, saying it had concerns about gang recruiting near schools.

The SD61 board stood by its decision not to include SPLOs in schools, citing a two-year engagement process and a survey that found 16% of students and staff felt uncomfortable around the officers. The board also said the program had unclear objectives, lacked school oversight for officer-student interactions, and suffered because there was no data on the frequency of officers’ visits. 

The province says the board must now work with VicPD, Oak Bay Police, West Shore RCMP, and Saanich Police to develop a long-term plan for student safety—including improving the board’s relationship with police. 

The safety plan doesn’t include any direct mention of reinstating the SPLO program.

Read more details on the order—and how it caught SD61 off guard.

NEWS

Noise cameras get green light at UBCM; province must approve

If you’ve ever suddenly been woken up by a loud car speeding by, and tossed and turned trying to fall back asleep after all the racket, a possible solution could be within sight (or earshot).

Delegates at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) this week endorsed a resolution asking BC to adopt a pilot project to use noise cameras to identify and fine drivers of noisy cars.

“When you are woken up in the middle of the night by a loud vehicle driving past your window, the vehicle is long gone before you can gather the information needed to make an actionable report to the local authorities,” says Saanich Coun. Teale Phelps Bondaroff. “Noise cameras help solve this problem.”

The resolution was submitted to UBCM by the City of Port Moody, and supported by Phelps Bondaroff, who has long been a proponent of the cameras.

Noise cameras are equipped with high-definition audio and visual sensors and can record loud noise—and snap a pic of its source. It’s a technology that has been used in the UK, and has been tried Canada, but not here in BC.

Detractors say municipalities who have tested it never adopted it. But proponents say the technology has improved, so the idea is worth another go.

To learn more about noise cameras, read Mark Brennae’s full story here.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🐬 Getting air: See two dolphins ‘flying’ above water in this shot by Anthony Bucci in Port McNeil. [Facebook photo]

🚌 Free transit for cyclists during Go by Bike. [Sept. 23-Oct. 6]

🏡 Quarry Villas at Royal Bay - These 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, duplex or triplex homes, line European-inspired streets, moments from the ocean and a wealth of amenities. Learn more.*

🧓 Sooke Grand Parade fundraiser walk for seniors. [Today]

🤝 Now hiring: Nursing opportunities in Senor Care at Amica Senior Lifestyles

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Court puts receiver on top of Bear Mountain Resort
The companies that own it have not been able to agree how the property should be managed or developed. Saying a loan was not fully paid, Sanovest Holdings Ltd., which holds a $62M loan on the land, asked the BC Supreme Court to appoint a third party to oversee the business. Enter Alverez & Marsal Canada Inc., which is expected to present a report of its recommendations for the property late next month. [Times Colonist]

Nuu-chah-nulth declares state of emergency
The mental health and opioid crisis within the 14 First Nations represented by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council has led to multiple recent deaths in the communities—most recently the death of two young people from Ahousaht, prompting the declaration. The tribal council is calling for “dedicated and substantial funding” from BC to provide culturally appropriate trauma-informed services, and support for overwhelmed workers providing these services. [CBC]

Delayed Mayfair-area condos may switch to rentals
The 12-storey, 179-unit Tresah West is a year behind schedule. Geric construction said that 30 people have now pulled out of their purchases, and that the project may open as purpose-built rentals in order to access different federal funding. [CHEK]

SPONSORED BY VICTORIA CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC

Find your musical community

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🗓️ Things to do

🍻 Smalltoberfest: Join the third annual Small Gods Brewing Oktoberfest weekend featuring delicious German-inspired treats, and an incredible beer list. Sat 11am-9pm; Sun 11am-8pm. [Info]

🍂 Uptown Fall Market: The Mom Market Vancouver Island is hosting a market with local vendors on Uptown Boulevard today. 10am-6pm. [Info]

📖 Esquimalt Story Fest: Hear live readings of different fairytales and fables at the festival’s 19th year in Esquimalt Town Square today. 10:30am-1pm. [Info]

🎉 Family Fun Day: A day packed with exciting activities and fun for children and families at Braefoot Elementary today. 11am-3pm. [Info] 

🍲 Mama Put African Food Pop-up: Enjoy delicious food and an electrifying game of Ludo at the Philippine Bayanihan Community Centre today. 11am-8pm. [Info]

🎈Recovery Day 24: A free, family-friendly, inclusive, alcohol/substance free event for anyone to attend to celebrate recovery in Central Park today. 12-7pm. [Info]

🍏 Community Apple Days: Check out apple games, a bouncy castle, face painting, sweet treats, and more at Junction Orchard & Cidery today. 12-6pm. [Info]

✊ Victoria Anarchist Book Fair: Pick up some radical reads at the 19th year of this fair, happening at Fernwood Community Centre. Today 11am-6pm; Tomorrow 11am-5pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Corrrection: Yesterday’s newsletter mistakenly described Muggins the dog collecting for charity in the Second World War; it was the First World War. The surrounding information refers accurately to events in the 1910s, but the name of the war was wrong. Capital Daily regrets the error.

Friday’s headlines: Muggins the charity dog is back; Fake guns, real VicPD respsonse; UBCM motion to get teens free bus rides; And more. [Sept. 20]

Canadian doctors come to Victoria with apology: [Capital Daily]

Missing person: Duggan O’Hara, 28, is missing from Nanaimo area, per RCMP.

Harbour Air straps on wheels for new Vic-Van flights: [YYJ to YVR]

Whooping cough resurgence prompts Island Health to put out vaccine reminder.

Spider vs. spider: See one male arachnid risk it all for a mate. [Facebook video]