Key details about the Esquimalt community & policing services
- The Township of Esquimalt currently has an estimated population of 17,500. The community accounts for 4.6% of the Capital Regional District (CRD).
- Esquimalt’s share of the total police budget is 13.67% in 2022.
- REPORT: Police Act Section 42 Review Budget Allocation Formula For Policing In The City Of Victoria And The Township Of Esquimalt
- REPORT: Police Act Section 42 Phase II Review: Analysis Of “Framework Agreement” Issues Regarding Policing In The City Of Victoria And The Township Of Esquimalt
Crime prevention & response
Police service plays a crucial role in community crime prevention—proactively aiming to reduce criminal activity by engaging and informing community partners and the public. When needed, police reactively respond to calls for service, investigate complaints and crimes, and enforce laws. However, police services also support community safety an crime prevention through public safety campaigns and Block Watch programs.
- In 2021, the Victoria Police Department initiated and supported 137 public safety campaigns. While those campaigns were not specific to Esquimalt, some reached the Esquimalt community.
- Thirty-nine Block Watch programs were held in Esquimalt, supporting community safety.
Crime prevention and response factsheet
Value for money
Value for money describes the cost effectiveness of policing services to meet the needs of residents and businesses. In 2022, Esquimalt’s share of the total police budget is 13.67%.
In a comparative analysis of Esquimalt and 13 similar municipalities in B.C. and the CRD:
- Esquimalt has the second highest total operating cost for police services, despite being one of the smaller municipalities. Fort St. John was the highest, while Port Alberni was the third highest.
- Esquimalt’s operating costs per capita were the highest.
- Esquimalt has the third highest numbers of officers per 1,000 residents.
Within the CRD specifically:
- Esquimalt has the fourth highest total annual operating cost in the CRD for Police Services.
- Esquimalt has the highest total operating costs per officer.
Value for money factsheet
Community well-being & trust
Community well-being contributes to community vibrancy by supporting social well-being, protecting vulnerable citizens, and improving road safety.
The Crime Severity Index (CSI), published by Statistics Canada, monitors the severity of crimes. It measures the overall seriousness of crime from one year to the next by tracking the prevalence of crimes within a community and the seriousness of the crimes committed.
It's important to measure the CSI as higher levels of serious crime impact a community's safety and quality of life.
In a comparative analysis of the CSI between Esquimalt and 13 similar municipalities in B.C. and the CRD:
- Esquimalt has amongst the lowest levels of crime and severity, particularly related to the high cost of policing services.
- Esquimalt had the fourth lowest number of crimes per 1,000 citizens.
Community well-being factsheet
Safe communities
Simply put, a safe community is a place where people can live, work and play without fear or risk of danger, injury, damage and/or harm.
Community policing contributes to a safe community by helping prevent threats to community safety and protect community members. Other partners that contribute to feelings of safety include:
- strong family connections
- friends and neighbour support networks like Block Watch
- memberships to community- and faith-based organisations
- access to health and social services