Victoria’s Mayor Promises Swift Changes in Safety Plan

UPDATE: Victoria’s Mayor Marianne Alto announced significant progress on the city’s community safety and well-being plan, with developments occurring rapidly behind the scenes. Five months after promising transformative changes for the downtown area, officials confirmed that crucial actions are underway, though many details remain under wraps.

In June, the city reallocated $10.35 million to tackle public safety issues, with Alto vowing to deliver visible results within six months. “Yes. I think I’m confident in saying that you will see a difference,” she stated at the time. As November unfolds, residents are eager to see the promised changes take shape.

Alto reassured the community, “We’re working, I think, pretty quickly actually. Will we see an increasing amount of visibility in those changes? Yes.” A routine update is scheduled for January 2024, where more details are expected to emerge.

Recent updates include the announcement from VicPD Chief Fiona Wilson about the deployment of nine new police officers who will be actively engaging with the community. “Those will be police officers in uniform on the ground who will be interacting with community members who will be visible and available for businesses and for individuals they come across,” Wilson confirmed. This initiative aims to enhance public safety and foster trust within the community.

Moreover, the city has partnered with the province to fund 20 units of dry housing for unhoused individuals seeking recovery. This effort is part of a broader strategy to create lasting change and support vulnerable populations.

Alto emphasized that while some initiatives, including SOLID’s downtown ambassador program and Pacifica Housing’s relocation support team, may not be immediately visible, their impact is profound. “We’re trying to make sure that we work on things that are unique, that are person-oriented, that respond to the individual needs of particular individuals,” she said.

As these foundational programs begin to take root, Alto expressed confidence in their potential to transform lives, “It’s really important, because it is changing lives, one person at a time.”

The next update on the Community Safety and Well-being Plan is set for January 2024, where the Mayor and city officials will provide further insights into the ongoing efforts to enhance public safety and community well-being in Victoria.

Stay tuned for updates as we continue to monitor the progress of this vital initiative.