Helicopters for Homeless Patrol

Saanich police use helicopter to spot homeless in parks
ROB SHAW, Times Colonist
Friday, June 20, 2008
Police have taken to the sky to search for homeless people camping in Saanich parks.

Officers used one of the RCMP's provincial helicopters this week to scour the more than 150 municipal parks. It was the first time they've used aerial surveillance to spot hard-to-see camps of homeless people, said Saanich police spokesman Const. Brad Brajcich. "It was a trial for us," he said.

As warm summer weather increases, police are concerned campers pose a serious fire risk in wooded areas, said Brajcich.


On Monday, officers spotted two suspicious-looking areas in Cuthbert Holmes Park, near Admirals Road and the Trans-Canada Highway. The police bike squad investigated the sites Tuesday but they appeared abandoned, said Const. Michael Gee.

"They weren't used to camp, it was something that had been there for some time," said Gee, who is on the bike squad.

A pair of Saanich bike officers patrol the parks and Galloping Goose Trail every day looking for campers, said Gee. In the last year, Gee said he's noticed a significant decrease in homeless camping in Saanich. "We're finding we don't have as many campers here as in the city," he said.

If officers do find a camp, park staff haul away the belongings -- such as tarps, clothes and backpacks -- and leave a note with contact information. Saanich parks manager Rae Roer said it is rare for anyone to actually claim missing belongings. Camping in a park violates municipal bylaws and can result in a fine.

The homeless community is a particular focus of police in the summer. In Victoria, increased police enforcement usually drives the homeless out of the tourist-filled downtown core, along the Galloping Goose Trail to camping locations in Vic West and Saanich. Last summer, residents of newly built condos in Vic West began complaining to police, who in turn increased patrols and pushed the campers elsewhere.

A CRD bylaw officer accompanied police during the helicopter ride to look at regional parks, such as Elk/Beaver Lake. Chief CRD bylaw officer Don Brown said it was a unique opportunity, because the CRD could not afford a helicopter on its own.

Saanich police said it did not cost much money to charter the helicopter, because the force already contributes to a provincial fund and gets a number of flight-days a year.