A recent discovery of roughly 50 needles in the sand at the Esquimalt Lagoon in Colwood has prompted the City to respond with extra efforts to make sure the beaches are safe for residents.
ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 communication manager Sandra Russell said bylaw officers already do a daily beach clean-up along the Lagoon, but have added additional staff members for an B次元官网网址渋ntenseB次元官网网址 check.
She said this extra effort will continue until there is an extended period in which no needles have been discovered.
Since the initial discovery, officers have continued to find a handful of needles, but only one or two at a time.
Last week, at least one of their searches yielded no results and City staff hope that trend will continue.
Russell said it wasnB次元官网网址檛 clear if the needles were dumped from the bridge or from a boat, but they definitely came ashore from the ocean and were not placed there by someone.
B次元官网网址淚t was quite clear they came and washed ashore,B次元官网网址 said Russell, adding it was evident in the way they were discovered in the sand at the high tide line. She said it appeared that a number of the needles were for insulin and some still had their orange packaging.
The City also contacted Island Health to confirm there are no other additional measures they should be taking.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e really grateful for the people that called promptly to let City staff know,B次元官网网址 Russell said adding that if any residents have concerns, City Hall staff members are happy to take their calls.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com