Public Safety - Who to Call

See the list below of who you can call to report and get information on a number of public safety issues and community outreach.

Bylaw, Regulation & Community Safety

To Report (Downtown Core):

  • Downtown parking issues
  • Aggressive panhandling downtown
  • Encampment activity downtown
  • Safety matters on downtown public property
  • Downtown Bylaw matters (noise, unsightly, nuisance activities)
  • Connecting individuals in need to services
Monday to Friday (8:00 am to 4:30 pm)
Call 250-755-4422

Evenings and weekends
Call 250-758-5222
bylaw.info@nanaimo.ca 
 

To Report (Outside Downtown Core Bylaw Infractions):

  • Parking
  • Traffic
  • Noise
  • Encampment Activity
  • Unsightly Properties
  • Nuisance Properties

Monday to Friday (8:00 am to 4:30 pm)
Call 250-755-4422

Evenings and weekends:
Call 250-758-5222 
bylaw.info@nanaimo.ca 

Public Works

To Report:

  • Discarded Needles on Public Property and for information on the proper disposal of discarded needles on private property
  • Garbage or Litter on City Property
  • Overflowing City Garbage Bins
  • Other After Hour City Matters

Please call or email:
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
250-758-5222
public.worksinfo@nanaimo.ca

Nanaimo Fire Rescue

To Report:

  • Burning Complaints
  • Burning Permits
  • Smoke Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Detector Information
  • General Fire Safety Information

Please call:
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
250-753-7311

RCMP: How to Report Crime

There are now multiple ways to report:

  • Suspicious or Illegal Activity
  • Crime after it has occurred
  • Lost, Stolen or Found Items
  • Security Matters

To learn more about reporting options, please visit the RCMP's Online Reporting Tool page or their homepage

Please call:
Non-Emergency Assistance: 250-754-2345 - 24 Hours

Nanaimo Animal Control

To Report:

  • Unlicensed dogs
  • Dogs at large
  • Care and standards
  • Control of livestock

Please call or email:
Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
250-616-0233
animal.shelter@nanaimo.ca

911

  • Immediate Medical Attention
  • Crimes in Progress
  • Reporting a Fire
  • Serious Traffic Accidents

Community Response

211

  • bc211 is help line service that provides information and referral regarding community, government and social services in BC.
  • Helps to navigate the complex network of human services quickly and easily, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 100 languages.
  • Includes the Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service (ADIRS), the Problem Gambling Help Line, VictimLink BC, and the Youth Against Violence Line

The Vancouver Island Crisis Line

24-hour Crisis Line Service

1-888-494-3888

Island Health

Nanaimo Mental Health & Substance Use

COR (Community Outreach Response):

  • Mobile Crisis Response via Crisis Line - 1-888-494-3888
  • Homelessness Outreach Response via Team Cell 250-741-7645

Information on Safe Handling for Needles

www.islandhealth.ca/safe-needle-disposal

Street Reach (Canadian Mental Health Association Mid-Island) - 250-716-8823

Poison Control 1-800-567-8911

Shelters

The Salvation Army New Hope Centre

(Men’s Shelter) 250-714-1142

Samaritan Place

(Women’s Shelter) 250-753-1474

Unitarian Shelter

250-754-3720

Tillicum Lelum Youth Safe House

250-753-8266

Haven Society Transition House

(Women Only) 250-756-2452

Last updated: February 23, 2024

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