Victoria Police Department has arrested eight individuals along the Pandora Avenue corridor as part of decampment efforts on Sunday afternoon.
The arrests were made by officers in the 1000 and 900-blocks of Pandora as a result of an evacuation order issued on May 20 by BC’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Mike Farnworth.
“Decampment is part of a province-wide response to the COVID-19 pandemic which has claimed 155 lives in B.C. and sickened thousands across Canada,” reads a VicPD press release.
Last week, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Shane Simpson, said the Province had moved over 300 people from the Pandora and Topaz Park encampments into temporary safe housing sites. These included rooms at hotels and motels as well as modular accommodations in the Save on Foods Memorial Centre. According to the BC government, these safe sites include wraparound services with access to healthcare and support services.
During a press conference last week, Simpson said there were a small number of people that did not want to move inside, suggesting that the BC Government would not force them indoors, but would ensure they leave the Topaz and Pandora locations.
At the time of Simpson’s announcement last Wednesday, the BC Government estimated around 30 people remained at these camps.
Arrests have been made as efforts to complete decampment in the 1000 and 900-blocks of Pandora Avenue continue. A reminder to people on site, do not cross the police tape. #yyj
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) May 24, 2020
Victoria Police said, in regards to the eight arrests, that their officers, City of Victoria Bylaw officers, BC Housing staff, and social services agency staff provided “every possible opportunity for those encamped in this area to depart without enforcement action.”
Those arrested were taken to VicPD Headquarters and their property is being held and returned under the direction of Victoria Bylaw, according to authorities.
Officers on scene appreciate those who are packing up. Seized property is not being thrown out, it is being stored so it can be retrieved from Bylaw.
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) May 24, 2020
“All persons who were arrested today will be provided with information on how to utilize additional resources and instruction on how to obtain their property from City of Victoria Bylaw Officers,” reads a statement from the Victoria Police Department.
All remaining campers were given multiple opportunities to leave peacefully over the past 4 days & told repeatedly they were in violation of the Ministerial Order. Many refused housing & insisted on staying. The Ops Plan was well executed by @vicpdcanada. Arrest was a last resort https://t.co/nYH7mqigKH
— Del Manak (@ChiefManak) May 25, 2020
Victoria Police Chief Del Manak reiterated the words of the VicPD press release, suggesting campers were given multiple opportunities to leave over the four days prior and that the arrests were a “last resort.”
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