Faced with a cold and dangerous trip from shore to their home atop the icy sea, Oak Bay Const. David Bratzer hopes boat-dwellers would instead call police for a warm, safe and dry place to stay the night.
ItB次元官网网址檚 an image inspired by recent events and why heB次元官网网址檚 among officers who plan to forge relationships with those living on and near Oak Bay shores this year with Project Sea Watch.
B次元官网网址淥ak Bay has done similar joint projects in the past, but this is the first time since the pandemic, where we've made a concerted effort to get out on the water with partner agencies,B次元官网网址� said Bratzer who came to Oak Bay last year after almost 20 years with VicPD.
B次元官网网址淭here's a need for it; we've heard the concerns from the community around derelict vessels or boats washing ashore during bad weather,B次元官网网址� he told the Oak Bay B次元官网网址. Marine-based property crime, primarily theft, has also been raised. B次元官网网址淥ak Bay is a very safe community, so this project is looking to build on that by enhancing public safety out on the water and I'm excited about it.B次元官网网址�
The resurgence is spurred by two incidents late last fall. In the first, a man was found unresponsive in the water off Oak Bay. Sadly he died of an apparent medical incident.
Days later, a man built a makeshift raft and paddled out to a boat in Oak Bay off Beach Drive in the middle of the cold, dark night.
By the time he arrived home, the man didnB次元官网网址檛 have the strength to climb aboard his vessel.
B次元官网网址淗e's calling out for help in the pitch darkness,B次元官网网址� said Bratzer, who was on shift to respond to both incidents, alongside fire, ambulance and search and rescue personnel. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a big deal when something happens out on the water.B次元官网网址�
If relationships are forged ahead of time, a resident in a similar situation might instead call dispatch or an officer for leads on a warm place to stay.
There are a couple of things Oak Bay police envisions B次元官网网址� foremost itB次元官网网址檚 a community policing approach the department generally deploys.
B次元官网网址淚 love walking the beat. I kind of picture this like an ocean version of walking the beat on Oak Bay Avenue,B次元官网网址� Bratzer said.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 really what this is about, and all the benefits that style of policing brings to a community so that the next time there's some kind of big emergency, well, at least, we know which boat it is. We've been there before.B次元官网网址�
Oak Bay police doesnB次元官网网址檛 have a boat in its arsenal, so partners B次元官网网址� RCMP and Transport Canada, so far B次元官网网址� bring that infrastructure plus their expertise and experience on the water.
Two key communities have been identified already: those living aboard vessels in Oak Bay and Cadboro Bay.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e really out there to just get on the water, start introducing ourselves to people, and potentially seeing if there's some assistance we can provide,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e're hoping to run this through all of 2025, and we'll see what we learn and what kind of changes might evolve with it over time.B次元官网网址�
TheyB次元官网网址檇 also like to hear from the community about their concerns. To that end, Bratzer invited residents to come talk at Spewhung (Turkey Head) on Saturday (Jan. 18) at 10 a.m.
Residents with questions can also email .
