Council Chambers, June 24, 2024. Image Credit: Adam Berls/CKPGtoday.ca Staff

By Adam Berls

public safety

Community safety town hall sparks a number of recommendations to council

Jun 24, 2024 | 10:33 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — City council has heard a report from city staff following up on the community safety town hall that took place at the end of May.

The report highlights that topics discussed at the town hall “largely centered on conditions in the downtown core, and specific attention on encampment related issues”. City staff noted in the report that concerns “seemed to center on housing, air quality (smoke & fires) and transition plans for the court protected encampment.”

Administration, in the report, recommended that the City approach the management of the Lower Patricia Boulevard Encampment (LPBE), also known as Moccasin Flats, in four phases. These phases are:

1. Build Capacity – The City and partners will work to build capacity in the community to help provide suitable day time facilities and low barrier housing for those members in need of these services.
2. Demonstrate Capacity and Alternatives – The City will demonstrate to the BC Supreme Court that conditions are appropriate for the transition of the site to other forms of housing.
3. Transition to other forms of housing – If successful in Phase Two, the City will work with partners to transition the LPBE to other forms of sheltering. The site would undergo remediation and be secured to prevent future occupation.
4. Maintain Capacity and Prevent Entrenchment – The City will work with partners to address new needs and is proactive in preventing any campsites from becoming entrenched.

City staff put forward a number of recommendations to council including making sure that the boundaries of the encampment are “made clear and then physically marked with fencing and appropriate signage to ensure clarity.” Other recommendations include:

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• Reinvigorating the Community Safety Hub
• Increased Cleanup Efforts
• Exploring the use of an overnight sheltering model considering both decentralized and centralized locations
• Timelines and goals for the Transitional Shelter Facility
• Regular updates and a dedicated webpage

Councillor Brian Skakun said that the intent with the town hall was right, but it was rushed and needed more planning. He noted that if something similar is held in the future, more time should be taken.

Councillor Kyle Sampson said of the report and recommendations that this is “not a problem that will be solved overnight, but it is a step in the right direction.” Sampson also said of the town hall that it was “needed and needed to be done fast.” Councillor Cori Ramsay said that more time could have been taken when planning the town hall, but that overall it garnered a positive response.

All six recommendations put forward by city staff, were approved unanimously by council.

Councillor Kyle Sampson put forward a recommendation to have staff look at the city holding bi-annual town halls in order to discuss a variety of topics and to engage with the community. City Manager Walter Babicz proposed that this recommendation be looked at during strategic planning in September. The recommendation will have staff bring back a report to council by October 2024.

Councillor Cori Ramsay put forward a motion to set meetings with BC Housing and the Northern Health Authority to have discussions in regards to issues and needs in the community.

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X: @AdamBerls

Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com