Safe Streets Bylaw passes

The AFN referred to the bylaw as punitive.

“Having a punitive bylaw is punishing the poor for being poor,” noted Chief Terry Teegee. However, he noted that, since the bylaw was first introduced, many organizations have come together to look at ways of addressing homelessness, drug addition and mental health.

Together We Stand presented a plan that “galvanizes” the city.

“We shouldn’t be fighting each other,” noted Amelia Merrill. “We need to galvanize this city.”

Speakers on behalf of the Millar Addition Connaught group presented an ugly picture of the events happening in their neighbourhood above the camp in question.

“I feel like a hostage in my home,” noted Tammy Hull, a resident of the neighbourhood. “I feel like a hostage in my neighbourhood.”

But when it came to the bylaw itself, Councillor Terri McConnachie, launched the discussion about how the average person traversing the downtown is not equipped to deal with the social issues that face the neighbourhood.

“Navigating your life with the radar on is exhausting.”

She went on to recount an event where the apartment her 75-year-old mother-in-law had her second floor apartment broken into one night.

“This bylaw was not crafted by Staff on a Sunday afternoon,” noted Councillor Brian Skakun, who “absolutely” planned to vote in favour.

“This is not the solution,” noted Councillor Kyle Sampson. “I’m not pretending it is.”

However, he strongly and repeatedly noted the City needs to enforce the laws, regardless, and that higher levels of government need to deal with what is not in the City’s mandate such as health and housing. He added there are two strings: those who suffer from mental health and addiction and those who are just “bad.” He, too, voted in favour of the bylaw.

“The magnitude of this problem is overwhelming,” said Mayor Lyn Hall, who also voted in favour of the bylaw.

Councillor Susan Scott voted in favour, calling it another tool at the City’s disposal.

But not everyone was in favour.

“We’re just throwing spaghetti on the wall to see what sticks,” said Councillor Cori Ramsay, who noted that crime will simply increase under the new bylaw, not go down.

Councillors Frank Everitt and Murray Krause also opposed.

by Cheryl Jahn

Safe Streets Bylaw passes

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