It wasn’t exactly a brave stand for the city to say they only wanted 24 new officers instead of 26. VicPD’s operating budget is $95 million, up $12 million from last year. The city could have spent that money on housing, or given it to the people these officers are being hired to try to disappear.
VicPD’s draft appeal also plays on how often they police mental health and poverty. The current Victoria council is incredibly friendly to police and policing. Last year they made a special request for 9 of these new officers, which will cost about $1.4 million a year in perpetuity.
The Old Court House is a significant heritage building on Victoria’s Bastion Square. It has been boarded up/closed for more than a decade. In the last couple years Ive been the lone voice calling for its restoration. That changed this week with a council motion from @susankimyyj.bsky.social /1 🧵