Victoria’s outgoing police chief, Chief Del Manak, has called for more tools to prevent crime in supportive housing buildings. Speaking before the city council on Monday, Manak emphasized that one of the key challenges facing police is dealing with individuals who engage in illegal activities such as drug trafficking and violence while living in supportive housing facilities.
Key Points from Chief Manak’s Address
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Arrest Limitations:
- "We can arrest individuals involved in these activities," Manak stated.
- However, legal restrictions on evictions without cause often prevent the removal of these individuals from their homes.
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Proposed Changes to Legislation:
- Manak suggested changing B.C.’s Residential Tenancy Act to provide landlords with greater flexibility to address problematic tenants.
- This change would allow landlords to exclude known criminals from supportive housing facilities before they move in, potentially preventing crimes rather than just responding after they occur.
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Challenges in Implementation:
- Concerns around privacy laws and data sharing between law enforcement agencies may complicate the implementation of these changes.
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Support for Existing Legislation:
- Manak expressed support for giving landlords more tools under existing legislation, specifically Section 21 of B.C.’s RTA.
- This provision allows landlords to terminate tenancies early if there is an imminent risk or threat.
- Landlords must prove, on a balance of probabilities (51%), that an imminent risk or threat exists.
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Collaboration with Social Services:
- The Victoria Police Department has been working closely with local social services organizations and other stakeholders to address issues related to homelessness and public safety.
- Manak emphasized that policing is not solely responsible for addressing these issues; a comprehensive approach involving multiple agencies is needed.
Conclusion
The city council will consider Manak’s recommendations as part of its ongoing efforts to address public safety concerns in Victoria’s supportive housing buildings. Chief Manak will be leaving his position at the end of August after nearly four years in the role. He was appointed as interim chief following former Chief Constable Frank Elsner’s retirement and previously served as deputy chief constable at VicPD since 2019. Before joining VicPD, he worked at the Vancouver Police Department for over 30 years, including roles in the Major Crime Section and Homicide Unit.
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