Open drug use, homelessness and traffic offences are the top three problems Victoria Police Department (VicPD) should be tackling, according to the results from the organization's 2024 community survey.

This year, 946 Victoria and Esquimalt residents took part in the annual questionnaire.

The results of the annual survey show a B次元官网网址渟ignificant changeB次元官网网址� in which areas citizens would like to see VicPD pay attention to, with almost one third of respondents selecting open drug use as their top issue of concern. In 2023, open drug use was the third most pressing concern for locals.

But VicPD has highlighted that the survey was conducted prior to the Provincial Government announcing plans to recriminalize the use of drugs in public spaces.

Participants in the survey stated they want VicPD to tackle these problems by having respondents called for more patrols, greater police visibility in the community and for the hiring of more officers.

B次元官网网址淚t would be beneficial to have more uniformed officers on foot patrol in the downtown core,B次元官网网址� said one respondent to the survey. B次元官网网址淚t will boost police visibility, build stronger community relationships with locals, business owners and tourist, and deter criminals from downtown. I believe doing so will also make our downtown safer, prevent theft and improve VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 image a vibrant and safe city.B次元官网网址�

The survey captures the impressions, concerns and opinions of the public that VicPD serves on topics ranging from crime severity to overall satisfaction. 

Earlier this month, VicPD raised concerns about the levels of violence and weapons linked to drug trafficking, promising to continue B次元官网网址減roactive patrolsB次元官网网址�.

Across a period of 36 hours in mid-July, two incidents, including one in the 900-block of Pandora Avenue, saw officers seize multiple weapons including loaded handgun and stun guns.

B次元官网网址淲e continue to be concerned with the level of violence and weapons associated with drug trafficking in our communities,B次元官网网址� said Chief Del Manak in a release on July 16. B次元官网网址淥ur officers are seeing people, some who are not sheltering outdoors, using tents and other structures to traffic drugs, conceal weapons and target vulnerable people. Our officers will continue to conduct proactive patrols and target violent offenders in our communities.B次元官网网址� 

The survey results in full are available on the VicPD website at .