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Uncapped syringe found tied to staircase rail at Beacon Hill; placed to harm, police say

Victoria police issued a warning Sunday night that an uncapped needle with a small amount of blood in it was tied to a staircase handrail in Beacon Hill Park. Police believe it was placed there to do harm. Shortly before 5 p.m.
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An uncapped syringe was found taped to a handrail at Beacon Hill Park on Sunday. Aug. 2, 2020

Victoria police issued a warning Sunday night that an uncapped needle with a small amount of blood in it was tied to a staircase handrail in Beacon Hill Park. Police believe it was placed there to do harm.

Shortly before 5 p.m. officers on special duty to patrol Beacon Hill Park — where encampments since the pandemic have become controversial — found the uncapped hypodermic needle tied to the handrail along a heavily used path on the west side of the park, near Douglas and Toronto streets.

“There was a small amount of blood in the needle,” said police spokesperson Const. Cam MacIntyre in a news release. “Officers believe the needle was placed in this location with the intent to cause injury.”

Officers safely disposed of the needle.

The Victoria Police Department has deployed extra officers to Beacon Hill Park and the Burnside Gorge neighbourhood in response to the safety concerns of residents and businesses. Since the pandemic began, people have been living in tents at the two locations.

Officers will continue to maintain a high-visibility presence in these areas throughout August, said MacIntyre.

If you have information about the syringe incident, police ask that you call VicPD’s non-emergency line at 250 -995-7654 and select option 1 for the report desk. To report what you know anonymously, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.