A spike in break and enters across Victoria is frustrating residents and property managers — even pushing some to leave their homes.
Victoria police say the number of break-ins to underground parkades, residential sheds and storage lockers has doubled. There were 207 between Jan. 1 and Sept. 14, 2019, versus 414 break-ins in the same period this year.
Property managers across the city say they are seeing that significant increase in breaks-ins but also just general crime. They are being forced to pay for extra security measures, and the damage being left behind — things like graffiti and even human waste.
One man says the crime increase prompted him to sell his condo.
“Yea we had a stroller taken, we had a skateboard taken, jackets and things like that,” said Andrew Mills.
“It has definitely expedited our decision to move out of the area [Victoria’s Railyards Neighbourhood] It’s a thoroughfare for the homeless, or tenters. There has been theft here and there in the past, but we have definitely noticed theft has increased over the past one to two years or so.”
Victoria police say the increase is significant.
“Two hundred and seven in 2019 for this time period, 414 for that same time period. It’s the biggest increase I’ve seen in my time here and that’s over a period of greater than seven years,” said Victoria Police’s Bowen Osoko.
“We are seeing it across the city, it’s an overall raise, but the highest spike will be in those areas, Burnside Gorge, downtown, James Bay.”
The thefts have primarily targeted underground parking. Osoko says it’s best to wait for the gate to close behind you before pulling away. Also police urge to never leave valuables in sight even in secure parking. Additional patrols and reserve constables have been sent to monitor specific hotspots.
‘We are dealing with it twice as many calls as we have the same time period last year, and our resources are the same as last year, so we are stretched,” he added.
Mills says he hopes the city council will step in more to solve the issue.
“It’s a broader question of what to do with the disadvantaged in our community,” he said.
“Certainly something has to be done, I’m all for supportive housing and support. But I think it starts from the mayor and council.”
In the meantime, Mills is now actively looking for somewhere he feels is safer to call home.
Julian Kolsut
