Plea to clear out camp

Photo: CTV

Victoria-area residents are begging police to do something about a long-term homeless camp.

Neighbours of Cuthbert Holmes Park in Saanich say the site is damaging the ecosystem and is strewn with garbage.

The Gorge-Tillicum Community Association claims the District of Saanich is ignoring the problem.

"There are places they can camp that don't do this kind of damage," said spokesman Rob Wickson told CTV. "Stop them camping from here, it should be an absolute no-go. Victoria's done the same thing, they've taken some parks off the list of allowable camp spots. Why aren't we doing that?"

Police say they are aware of the situation and monitoring it.

Mayor Richard Attwell plans to meet B.C.'s housing minister later this month. 

"If we just boot them from this park, they're going to end up in another park, and they're going to move to another park and another park," Attwell said.

– with files from CTV Vancouver Island