Re: 鈥淧olice could still lose staff despite ruling,鈥� March 1.
Victoria and Esquimalt鈥檚 chief constable, Del Manak, advises that with the budget plan proposed by the Victoria and Esquimalt city councils he will 鈥渂e unable to 鈥� keep our city safe and provide the public safety that I currently provide.鈥� This is a serious problem. The first priority of a government is, and should be, the safety and security of its citizens.
This is absolutely the wrong time to be reducing our police force 鈥� especially at a time when 34 full-time, largely administrative and research staff are slated to be hired by the city. Let鈥檚 get the priorities right.
The Victoria Conservatory of Music is in the Johnson/Pandora area and we, together with other local residents and businesses, are exposed to some very bad and often criminal behaviour in this downtown area. This places our staff and students at unreasonable risk.
The conservatory has increased its in-house security program at considerable cost, but we know that a visible municipal police presence is the most powerful tool to combat lawlessness and bad behaviour. We have witnessed the positive results of these initiatives. VicPD has tried to respond to the needs of this downtown problem, but with its resources stretched to the limit, its patrolling presence in the Johnson/Pandora area has been spotty at best.
City councillors should do the right thing for this community.
Roy Cullen
Chair
Victoria Conservatory of Music Board聽of Governors
