City cuts cameras and calls police amid homeless shelter debate – Terrace Standard
Last night a town council meeting which began by outlining National Day for Truth and Reconciliation activities was cut short as police were called to a group of First Nations people there in support of a shelter homeless shelter planned at the old Elks Hall on Tetrault Street to replace the current one on Lakelse Avenue.
Kyle de Medeiros presented a petition on behalf of some 372 area residents to appeal against the wet shelter, which de Medeiros and his co-signers said would endanger residents, young women and children in particular.
“The petition took a long time, sometimes two hours for a street, because almost every house you went to had a story about how they had been victims of robbery, belligerent behavior or assault,†said de Medeiros.
In his speech, de Medeiros used vivid images of young women and schoolchildren in danger, describing “sex acts committed at all hours of the night, even on school grounds” by clients of the shelter. which he claims to have witnessed himself.
“There are heinous crimes like rape,” he said of the area around Ksan’s other shelter to the south, on Hall St., accusing the company of not caring about neighbors .
“The Hall Street Shelter and its residents are consistently in violation of the Nuisance Bylaw, Noise Bylaw and Safe Streets Bylaw, but is permitted to continue operating…Now, I ask you, is that right?â€
A young woman walking her dogs and a girl playing in her front yard had to flee from people under the influence, he said, asking the city to write a letter to Ksan and BC Housing to find a “more suitable location “.
“We all know that ultimately Ksan has the right to do whatever he wants with the building as long as it complies with zoning regulations,” de Medeiros said.
“But I ask that you please protect our youngest and most vulnerable population and the future of this city…and stand up for the children and the people of the south.â€
A “wet shelter” allows entry to intoxicated persons, but does not allow patrons to drink on site.
Erica and Robert Davis attended alongside Billy Morrison, Steve Burton and Tarea Laton to support the shelter. After de Medeiros finished presenting, Morrison became emotional and interrupted the meeting.
Morrison said not to blame the homeless, arguing that these problems are due to drug dealers coming into the community, after the money that comes with big industry.
“The opposite of addiction is love and connection,” he exclaimed as he walked out the door holding an orange “every child matters” shirt in the air as Mayor Carol Leclerc warned of his lack of decorum.
Leclerc called for a short break during which city officials then cut the live stream. The group of shelter supporters then came out and protested outside the town hall with drums and chants.
A member of the Medeiros delegation asked the council to call the police, which city staff quickly did. The police arrived and the group continued to demonstrate peacefully.
City of Terrace spokesman Tyler Clarke said the presence of an officer was requested to ‘assist in the removal of an individual due to disruptive behaviour’ after attempts by the mayor and council to resolve the situation.
“Prior to the events specified, Mayor Leclerc reiterated several times that he was happy to see so many people present and we welcome community participation in council meetings, but the subject matter of council meetings is limited to the agenda.”
Laton said The standard terrace outside City Hall that she understands the council’s reaction to calling the police, adding that the plight of homeless people, many of whom are Indigenous, is personal to Morrison.
Terrace RCMP Corporal Josh Smith confirmed police arrived at City Hall around 8:30 p.m. in response to at least two callers reporting a disturbance at the meeting.
“While the police were present, there was no disturbance at the meeting, but there were protesters outside but they were peaceful and no further problems arose as a result,†Smith said. .
“It looks like they’ve stopped live streaming their reunion due to the disruption.”
Despite de Medeiros’ comments to the contrary, the old Elk’s Hall building is properly zoned for shelter in the same way as previous Terrace shelters. It is not in the city’s power to stop the project.
The city actually issued a letter of support to the Ksan company asking for grants to fund renovations to the site in August, after the company purchased the building.
Do you have a comment on this story? E-mail:
[email protected]
First NationsHousing and HomelessnessMunicipal PolicyRCMP
