Police in Victoria are warning the public after an uncapped hypodermic needle with blood in it was discovered taped to a handrail in Beacon Hill Park.
The Victoria Police Department says officers discovered the dirty syringe on heavily used staircase handrail in the west side of Beacon Hill Park just before 5 p.m. on Aug. 2. They say the needle was intentionally placed on the handrail, located near Douglas and Toronto streets, in an attempt to hurt someone.
“There was a small amount of blood in the needle. Officers believe the needle was placed in this location with the intent to cause injury,” VicPD said in a media release, adding.
Officers who found the needle were on special assignment duty as part of increased patrols in the park, according to the department.
Const. Cam MacIntyre told CHEK there have been other incidents of uncapped needles ties or taped to railings in public places in the past few years. He said an uncapped needle was found taped to a railing in the Yates Street parkade in 2017 and another needle was found in parking pay station that same year.
“There were a number of other needle-related incidents in 2018 with needles found placed in garden beds and one in a fence post,” said MacIntyre.
The needle at Beacon Hill Park has since been removed and VicPD is asking anyone with information about the needle to contact them at 250-995-7654.
Officers located a used, uncapped hypodermic needle secured to a staircase railing near a heavily used path in Beacon Hill Park today. If you saw anything, please call 250-995-7654, press 1. @VicCrimeStop to remain anonymous. #yyj
Info: https://t.co/6zxOJm3JEU pic.twitter.com/a7k93wyQZD
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) August 3, 2020
Victoria PD says a used needle with blood in it was found taped to a staircase handrail in Beacon Hill Park this evening. #YYJ pic.twitter.com/8280erh8aa
— Nicholas M Pescod (@npescod) August 3, 2020
Nicholas Pescod
