Large groups of young people come to the city center on Friday and Saturday nights to drink and take drugs, police said. Some of the young men attacked strangers.
Victoria police say they are dealing with an increase in juvenile delinquency and violence in the city center, including vandalism, gun attacks and random attacks on the elderly, the homeless, business owners and passers-by.
VicPD said in a statement that large groups of young people from surrounding municipalities began coming to the city center on Friday and Saturday nights to consume alcohol and drugs.
Several nights, police said there were 150 young people in groups of various sizes.
VicPD’s patrol and public service officers have responded to more than two dozen calls for violent crime, including gun attacks, attacks on the elderly and uninhabited communities, and, in one case, police swarming.
There have also been numerous reports of accidents, vandalism and property damage, as well as open alcohol and drug use by juveniles creating “medical incidents”.
Police said some of the groups began gathering on weekdays.
VicPD gave examples of what its employees have done:
Friday, May 6
• A group of 100 young people were in the Government and Douglas streets, some of them jumping on car roofs, kicking car doors and damaging signs.
• A couple was flooded by a group of 20 young people in the 900 block of Douglas Street. The couple was attacked at random, with young men grabbing one of the victims by the throat and hitting her while they continued to beat and kick the other member of the couple. The couple managed to break away and escape by calling 911 after they were safe. The couple received injuries that do not require medical attention.
• Officers were warned of group battles near Douglas Street and Pandora Avenue. Young people surrounded and began harassing two unoccupied people. During the collision, one of the uninhabited people hit one of the young people in the face with a flashlight and then fled.
The injured young man, who was intoxicated, has facial injuries. He refused medical treatment and was taken home to his residence in Langford and released to his parents.
• Patrol officers were marked near Vue and Douglas streets for a young man lying on the road with arm injuries. Officers found a young woman showing clear signs of intoxication and life-threatening hand injuries.
During the investigation of the employees, they found out that she was part of a group that attacked two people. One of the victims was hit in the face and both victims fled to a car.
The group went around and started kicking and hitting the car, causing significant damage. The victims have moved away from the area. The young woman was transported to a hospital by paramedics.
Monday, April 25
• A business owner was overwhelmed and sprayed with bear spray when a group of youths began fighting in front of his store on Block 1100 on Douglas Street. Several young people stole knives from the store after the owner was sprayed.
Two young men identified in earlier attacks have been arrested for assault with a weapon and theft.
The victim is without life-threatening injuries.
Saturday, April 23
• A 70-year-old man was buried by a group of 25 young people in block 1200 on Douglas Street. The man is attacked by a group of five or six young men who start hitting, hitting and spitting on the man. In the accident, the victim received serious injuries to the person who required medical assistance.
Friday, April 22
Officers were alerted to a man armed with a knife and bear spray after a group of young men attacked each other with bear spray in block 1300 on Douglas Street. After the arrest, a group of 14 young men stormed the arresting officer in an attempt to prevent the young man’s arrest. The young man was transported to the VicPD cells and was issued a cannabis offense report. The weapons were confiscated for destruction and the young man was handed over to a parent.
VicPD said it is working with regional partners, including the Greater Victoria School District and other police forces, to engage with young people and their families.
“Officials have learned that some parents provide their children with bear spray and alcohol when their children have expressed a desire to bring knives and drugs to downtown Victoria,” the VIcPD said in a statement. “Officials are informing parents that this type of approach is useless and instead leads to increased violence and harm.”
As part of the response, VicPD said its staff will announce their presence in key locations in downtown Victoria by posting those locations on social media with the hashtag #VicPDLive.
“Several of the young people involved told officers they believed they would not be charged with their actions,” VicPD spokesman Const said. Cam McIntyre. “Some of these young people are carrying out violent, random attacks and have told officials that they believe they will not suffer any consequences for their illegal actions. They are wrong. Officers arrest and recommend charges that can have significant and negative consequences throughout life. “
If you see a group attacking people or damaging property, call 911. If you have any information about these incidents, call 250-995-7654 internal 1.
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