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2w ago

Victoria Allocates $10.35M for First Phase of Safety and Wellbeing Plan

The city’s budget reallocation from reserves and paused capital projects funds enforcement hires, downtown street repairs and temporary shelter expansion

A view of the Victoria Police headquarters in Victoria, B.C., on Friday, December 20, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
'There's no doubt in my mind that this is the single most important decision that council has dealt with,' said Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto in a Wednesday news conference.

Overview

  • Victoria council has reallocated $10.35 million from paused capital projects and reserve funds to implement initial steps of its Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan ahead of Thursday’s ratification.
  • The city earmarked $1.9 million to hire 12 additional bylaw officers and $1.35 million to bring on nine more police officers, including two dedicated to joint patrols with bylaw staff.
  • A $3.75 million allocation will cover preliminary rehabilitation works on the 800–1000 blocks of Pandora Avenue, with similar upgrades planned for Princess Avenue.
  • Nearly $2 million has been set aside to establish up to two managed emergency shelter sites and cover operating, rental and capacity-filling costs through 2026.
  • Funding will come from scaled-back projects at Royal Athletic Park and Centennial Square as well as withdrawals from the city’s Financial Stability and housing reserves, and the city will match $220,000 in provincial enforcement funding.