Victoria bar patrol program gets funding to resume operations after much debate – BC | 24CA News
After weeks of confusion, late-night Victoria police patrols will return to the downtown core.
Last month, Victoria metropolis council voted to chop the duty drive as a part of town’s 2023 finances.
On Thursday, the council agreed to reinstate the patrol program, with a catch —- town will solely fund the duty drive for this yr, and the division should discover funding of its personal for subsequent yr.
The movement will allocate a further $500,000 on prime of the 2023 finances and can enhance property tax to round 6.3 per cent.
Around $220,000 will restore the late-night patrol program, with $35,200 going to a two-month venture that can see further law enforcement officials strolling the streets of downtown. The remainder of the funds will go in direction of revitalization tasks for downtown Victoria.
The choice to chop this system was met with fierce criticism, with Victoria police chief Del Manak main the way in which.
He beforehand mentioned this system permits officers to be proactive and curb violence and gang exercise earlier than it begins.
“It’s important that the police are there proactively, that we are engaging with the bar staff who are put in a very difficult position when they see people coming in in large groups, basically pushing their way into the night clubs,” Manak mentioned in late March.
“It is really irresponsible to have them be the face of trying to eject them.”
Global News has reached out to the Victoria police division for remark.
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