Tent encampment residents given notice to vacate
Naveen Day- 0
- 1 minute read
The City is continuing its efforts to handle the tent encampment situation. Wednesday morning, residents of the site were handed notices to vacate the area under the Petty Trespass Act. Both residents in and out of the site are not happy with the action being taken against tent encampment residents.
Police and bylaw officers can enforce the act with fines. Police say, however, the residents are complying with the order. Many of them are relocating their tents behind the shelter that is operated by Alpha House.
City Council has scheduled a special meeting to discuss the establishment of a sanctioned encampment site. However, Director of Community Services, Mike Fox says sanctioned encampment sites have been problematic for other cities that have them. He adds that there currently is room in the shelter, which would provide the best services. However many of our homeless population say it is not as safe in the shelter as it is outside.
As of Wednesday afternoon, only 17 tents remained standing at the site.
