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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:

    • Parking issues
    • Traffic
    • Noise
    • Encampment Activity
    • Unsightly Properties
    • Nuisance Properties
    • Aggressive panhandling downtown
    • Safety matters on downtown public property
    • 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

    Online complaint submission here.

    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

      The Hub Shelter

      778-441-5444

      St. Peter's Temporary Winter Shelter

      (Nov 1, 2025 - Mar 31, 2026) 250-591-9440

      Risebridge Temporary Winter Shelter

      (Oct 1, 2025 - Apr 30, 2026) 250-268.8428

       

       

       

       

       

      Last updated: December 22, 2025

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