Nanaimo Mounties say a man was shot as a result of attempting to retrieve stolen property from a homeless encampment in the city’s downtown area, prompting the mayor's office to call for senior government help in response to what it calls "vigilantism.".The incident occurred Sunday afternoon when Nanaimo RCMP officers responded to reports of an altercation in the area of Mill Street and Barsby Ave..Upon arrival, police located a group of adults in a parking lot on Terminal Ave., one of whom was suffering from a gunshot wound. Paramedics transported the individual to hospital for emergency treatment..Subsequent investigation led officers to two suspects, both of whom were taken into police custody on unrelated warrants..The altercation had taken place at a “shelter-less encampment,” which was secured by police prior to the examination of forensic officers and police dog services. A firearm was located and seized by officers..“Investigators believe this incident was the result of a group of individuals who went to the encampment to retrieve stolen property, and as a result, an altercation ensued”, said Nanaimo RCMP’s Cst. Gary O’Brien..Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog says the city is facing a public safety crisis beyond its control as a result of failed policies set forth by senior government.."On behalf of city council and the community, I call upon the federal and provincial governments to recognize their responsibility to our residents and to step up and take meaningful action now. Our city is not able to fix the underlying issues that have led to the problems we are facing and the kind of situation that unfolded here on Sunday,” Krog said in a Tuesday statement.."When government is no longer able to protect people and their property, we are in a dangerous place.”.Krog highlights the “significant cost” to taxpayers in an attempt to clean up the city’s downtown area, noting little progress has been made due to the "failure" of senior government policies when it comes to curbing violence from known offenders..“As a result, some people feel they have no option but to take matters into their own hands," he said..Krog's observation of what his office calls "vigilantism" is similar to what has been seen in other areas of the province..Last summer, the Western Standard highlighted a group of Penticton residents who banded together in an effort to push back against their city becoming, by their analysis, a “haven" for catch-and-release criminals..READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Fed up Penticton residents take crime into their own hands.Nanaimo was part of the BC Urban Mayors' Caucus..Formed last year, the informal caucus sent a detailed letter to provincial officials in April indicating crime patterns shifted during the pandemic, hurting downtown retail areas in particular. In response, the province is adding new funding for police under the Safer Communities Plan and has "committed to strengthening enforcement.".The letter detailed a Kelowna RCMP report about one offender who's been the subject of 346 police files over the last six years, received 29 convictions for various property crime and assault offences, only to be routinely released with conditions before re-offending.
