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.

• Download/Print the Who to Call brochure
• Old City Quarter - Who to Call Brochure
• Newcastle - Who to Call Brochure
• South End - Who to Call Brochure
• North End - Who to Call Brochure

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

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