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