VicPD and city bylaw officers enforce a provincial order to vacate Pandora Avenue, arresting 8 people who would not leave after being offered help
VicPD arrested 8 people on Pandora Avenue yesterday (Sun) as they continued with efforts to "decamp" the 1-thousand and 900-blocks of Pandora Avenue.
It was 4 weeks ago -- on April 25th -- BC's Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Mike Farnworth, issued an Order requiring the evacuation of tent encampments at Topaz Park and the Pandora Corridor, setting a deadline of May 9th.
He then extended it to May 20th as efforts were underway to provide housing for the homeless in motel and hotel rooms, and in sleeping pods in the Save on Foods Memorial Centre Arena.
VicPD officers, City of Victoria Bylaw officers, along with BC Housing staff and social services agency staff, provided opportunities for those still camped in the area to leave.
And when they did not they followed through on the enforcement action.
Those arrested were taken to Victoria Police Department Headquarters, and their property is being stored. They are also being provided with information on the resources available to them.