*For specificity reasons, this Wise Practice will focus on UBC’s programs; however, it is important to recognize that Bluelight posts and safe walking programs have been implemented all over Canada and beyond

Although Bluelight safety emergency phones have been effective, there is criticism that mobile apps may be more worth pursuing. However, when taking equity and accessibility into account, it is important to recognize not all students can afford technology, specifically mobile phones. Many phone batteries also die after a night out; blue light programs work regardless of access to mobile phones or battery drainage.

The search is on! The Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board invites the interest of progressive senior law enforcemen… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

We are investigating a single-vehicle MVI that occurred at approximately 0400 this morning. Two people were taken t… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

#yyjtraffic | REMINDER - The first wave of road closures are now in effect for the Santa Claus Parade, which commen… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Had great fun at the Celebration of Lights Parade in @EsquimaltBC. Met @kw_whiteside (love the mini jeep), Santa (a… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Just before 1:00 a.m. on Monday, July 15th officers conducting proactive patrols in the 900-block of Pandora Avenue were alerted to a physical altercation between two women. The victim was found lying on the ground while the suspect fled to a nearby tent. While arresting the suspect, officers noticed multiple weapons placed around the tent including:

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Here’s another great outcome. Yesterday morning, a 9-year-old boy had his bike forcibly stolen while he was riding… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

.@vicpdcanada proud to be in the Peninsula CO-OP Santa Parade. Great to see so many families enjoying the parade &… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

At approximately 11 a.m. on Friday July 12th patrol officers were called to the 1400-block of Fairfield Road for a report of a man chasing and threatening two people with a taser. The suspect fled in a vehicle prior to police arrival but was located in a vehicle and arrested by police in the 500-block of Ellice Street just after 3 a.m. this morning. Two hand-held stun guns were located inside the vehicle and the man was held in custody for a court appearance.

Roads are beginning to reopen. Thank you #yyj for a fun, family-friendly and successful night! twitter.com/vicpdcanada/st…

A fantastic night for the @EsquimaltBC Celebration of Lights Parade. @vicpdcanada proud to be in the parade. Great… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

The Bay Street Bridge is currently closed in both directions and will remain closed until approx. 1030 am as we inv… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Officers also found a loaded handgun, cash and drugs in a bag next to the tent. The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries and the file remains under investigation.

Campus security coordinates the blue phone programs. UBC has a specific SafeWalk coordinator and trained volunteer walkers, which is similar to that of many other university campuses. Data is collected annually as to how many times the phones are used. UBC reported 61 calls in 2017, with 6 of them being classified as being made due to suspicious activity and 16% being emergency situations (ie. suspicious activity, medical assistance). According to one report, the number of calls made has been consistently declining since 2014. UBC Campus Security publishes annual reports reviewing the year’s events and activities.

Do you recognize this green fusing machine and black trailer? They were reported stolen from the 100-block of Gorge… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

SafeWalk is one specific program that falls under a larger safety walking initiative implemented on college campuses throughout the world. The University of British Columbia is one school that has a SafeWalk program, operating from 9 pm-2 am, seven days a week. Students can call the SafeWalk number or use the Blue phone and ask for SafeWalk and be met by one of nine walkers after dark who will walk with them or drive them to their desired location in a designated SafeWalk vehicle. The average wait time is approximately 15 minutes, as reported by UBC. After 2 am, students have the option of calling campus security to be accompanied. Five people are on duty every night, with two pairs of walkers and one dispatcher.

Goal 1: Prevent and eliminate all forms of violence and harassment against women and girls in private and public spaces, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation (NUA 13c, 39; SDG 5.2; CEDAW article 6).

Bay Street Bridge is now open to traffic, thanks for your patience during our investigation and while we made the street safe again, #yyj

Bluelight security posts became widespread beginning in the 1980s and after the high-profile murder of Jeanne Clery at the University of Illinois in Chicago. These blue pillars are located at a number of key frequented spots across campus and are connected to phones that are automatically connected to Campus Security and can be used 24/7. There are four main purposes of the blue phones: reporting a witnessed crime in progress, seeking help when harassed, requiring medical assistance, and asking for directions.

According to UBC’s student newspaper, The Ubyssey, SafeWalk helps about 300-600 people per month get to their location safely. Roughly 567 transports were made by the Campus Police in 2017 in addition to Safewalk, down from 805 in 2016. UBC Campus Security reported that the sexual assault rate for UBC in 2017 was less than in 2013. Considering over a million dollars was invested in blue light technology in 2017, increasing the number of blue lights on campus to 71 (4x the number of blue phones in 2014), the fact that sexual assault rates were lower is indeed promising.

Police are asking for your help locating a missing 87-year-old, who was last seen at approximately 10:15 this morni… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Whether from our Community Survey, public information sessions, or daily interactions, the message from residents a… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Victoria, BC – Investigations by patrol officers over the past 36 hours lead to seizure of a of loaded handgun, stun guns and other weapons.

Bluelight security system technology and late-night walking programs, such as SafeWalk, are preventative measures to ensure students, specifically women and gender queer individuals, feel safe on campus (especially after dark).

“We continue to be concerned with the level of violence and weapons associated with drug trafficking in our communities. Our officers are seeing people, some who are not sheltering outdoors, using tents and other structures to traffic drugs, conceal weapons and target vulnerable people” says Chief Del Manak. “Our officers will continue to conduct proactive patrols and target violent offenders in our communities.”