FORT ST. JOHN -- A Fort St. John Councillor is recommending the city restrict tent use and homeless encampments within city lines.
Trevor Bolin is writing a recommendation to city staff to create a bylaw that will restrict tents, tarps, cardboard and softshell camping in public places. He says public places include anything owned by the city or region as well as commercial and industrial areas.
Bolin says homelessness is a safety issue for all residents including those who are homeless. “A lot of times it is people's choice if they decide to live this sort of a lifestyle because they don't want to live maybe in the Salvation Army or in a rental or something like that. But there are some people that do that, that are just down on their luck.”
The recommendations to create a safer community for all are still in the works. “We’re still finalizing that before that goes out to the public. In the meantime, it's about education. We will continue to listen. We will continue to engage. We will continue to update,” explains Bolin.
While there is no timeline as to when the bylaw will come into effect. The bylaw is meant to be taken as a long-term solution.
“But fast is not what we want. Effective is what we want, safe and secure and long-term sustainability is what we want,” says the councillor.
The initial recommendation was made months ago but made no progress. It came after a fire at a homeless encampment behind a local business.
Many residents are also sharing concerns for personal safety after seeing an increase in homelessness around the city.
Fort St. John city council will vote on the bylaw at the regular council meeting on July 24th where council members can make any changes. It will have to pass three readings before becoming a bylaw.
“It's about safety. These are our brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers and neighbours that are living in these and in some cases, long-term residents. So we need a plan that's going to work,” says Bolin.
