Victoria residents upset by 'de facto' RV park on scenic Dallas Road
Over 180 people have signed a petition asking city bylaw officers to take action
A popular road for enjoying postcard-worthy ocean views in Victoria, B.C,. has become a hot spot for people living in recreational vehicles to park overnight, much to the chagrin of locals who say the city should be doing more to move them along.
Area resident Janice Williams says on any given day there are more than a dozen large vehicles parked on Dallas Road and she has started a petition asking the City of Victoria to enforce a bylaw that prohibits people sleeping overnight in vehicles parked on the street.
As of Friday, Williams' petition had more than 180 signatures.
"It's really disturbing to see a de facto RV park develop along Dallas Road here because there aren't any facilities," said Williams. "People are leaving their garbage and it is becoming a general disaster."
Williams said she spoke with a neighbour who found feces among the garbage and people are concerned about their pets eating human waste.
In the comments' section of the petition, residents also raise concerns about their children being afraid to playing outside and increases in property crime.
Coun. Geoff Young said most of the campers are respectful and it is hard to attribute a perceived increase of theft in the area to any particular reason, but he is concerned the camp could grow.
"I've always been inclined toward saying if we don't enforce the bylaws more and more people will start to ignore them," said Young in an interview on On The Island Friday.
"Unfortunately, it is like the tent camps. When they begin, they work well [and] there is not overuse, but as more and more people start to take advantage the impact of overuse starts to make itself felt," he added.
Young said city staff understands the camp is a likely consequence of a lack of affordable housing and "were enforcing bylaws with a great deal of understanding and sympathy for the circumstances of the people they are enforcing against."
According to Young, city staff have decided the best way to manage the problem is to put a three hour parking limit on the area.
But Young would also like to see more city resources dedicated to overnight sheltering so people don't have to sleep in the street or in parks.
"I'd like to be able to say to people there is a place to go," said Young.
With files from On The Island