25925 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

I’m surprised that’s in a CTV piece.

[Dexter]

I think I finally have an opinion on all this camping. Each park should have specific shelter pads for pitching tents. Then first contact in the morning is outreach workers that assist with finding a permanent solution to their housing issues, before bylaw comes along and enforces the 7-7 shelter rules. Using the pads becomes a call for help, and the rampant destruction of park areas diminishes. No tolerance for camping outside the tent pads.

Edited by Klapecki, 20 November 2020 - 08:36 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

People sheltering in Beacon Hill Park and their supporters rallied outside Victoria City Hall on Friday to protest against the dismantling of a community care tent they say was vital to people without homes. Two showers, built by a grassroots group of volunteers, were also removed from the park.

 

More than a dozen Victoria police officers were in the park Friday morning to support bylaw officers taking down the large beige vehicle-storage tent on grass near the petting farm. Police tape was set up around the tent as bylaw officers loaded items into a truck.

 

 

https://www.timescol...park-1.24243306

[mbjj]

I think I finally have an opinion on all this camping. Each park should have specific shelter pads for pitching tents. Then first contact in the morning is outreach workers that assist with finding a permanent solution to their housing issues, before bylaw comes along and enforces the 7-7 shelter rules. Using the pads becomes a call for help, and the rampant destruction of park areas diminishes. No tolerance for camping outside the tent pads.

I still do not agree with any camping at all in Beacon Hill, at any time of day. 

[A Girl is No one]

I still do not agree with any camping at all in Beacon Hill, at any time of day.

I agree. We’ve been manipulated from having to accept overnight camping to wishing for overnight camping. We provided plenty of housing. Those in parks mainly are newly arrived or refuse to live in the free housing. If we must let them camp, then there should be a dedicated area, with controls, that does not encroach on everyone else’s quality of life.

[TwilightZoneVictoria]

If one part of society doesn't have to live by rules how do they expect the rest to? There's bylaw here and there. When one special group is allowed to commit crimes against the surrounding community and congregate without any rules how do they expect the rest of the city to go?

 

I agree. We’ve been manipulated from having to accept overnight camping to wishing for overnight camping. We provided plenty of housing. Those in parks mainly are newly arrived or refuse to live in the free housing. If we must let them camp, then there should be a dedicated area, with controls, that does not encroach on everyone else’s quality of life.

[Victoria Watcher]

Additionally, we’ve been bending our brains for the past few weeks with Island Health, BC Housing, the United Way of Greater Victoria and Devon Properties to figure out how to creatively fill the gap between the $825 total rent available with a rent supplement and the monthly market rents in the region that range from $1200-$1500 per month. Please email me mayor@victoria.ca if you have any ideas! Others have been working on a program to support landlords who are considering renting to people who are ready to move out of supportive housing and into the private market.


https://lisahelpsvic...vember-22-2020/


the overwhelmingly vast majority of people that don’t work live with family or roommates. not alone in their own apartment. bend your brain around that Lisa Helps.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 November 2020 - 04:09 PM.

[Nparker]

Here you go Lisa: https://www.roomies.ca/victoria-bc

[Victoria Watcher]

sounds like this might have been a bhp camper.

 

 

 

 

 

A watchdog agency is investigating after a man died in a Victoria hospital after being in police custody.

According to a statement from the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO), the Victoria Police Department received a report at approximately 1:45 a.m. on Nov. 20 of a man causing a disturbance in the 600-block of Douglas Street.

A man was arrested, medically cleared by Emergency Health Services and taken to the cells at the detachment.

At 4:15 a.m. it was reported the man appeared to be in medical distress. B.C. Emergency Health Services was called and transported the man to hospital.

 

https://www.vicnews....st-in-victoria/

[Victoria Watcher]

Central Park update:



Number of structures: 53 (down from 66 last week), and 45 individuals.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 28 November 2020 - 02:59 PM.

[Tom Braybrook]

oaklands update

 

only seven "shelters"...pretty much just the permanent residents these days

[TwilightZoneVictoria]

Even working people live with housemates. I have and so have most people I know. Particularly those working in hospitality with a side gig as a musician or other arts.

 

Additionally, we’ve been bending our brains for the past few weeks with Island Health, BC Housing, the United Way of Greater Victoria and Devon Properties to figure out how to creatively fill the gap between the $825 total rent available with a rent supplement and the monthly market rents in the region that range from $1200-$1500 per month. Please email me mayor@victoria.ca if you have any ideas! Others have been working on a program to support landlords who are considering renting to people who are ready to move out of supportive housing and into the private market.


https://lisahelpsvic...vember-22-2020/


the overwhelmingly vast majority of people that don’t work live with family or roommates. not alone in their own apartment. bend your brain around that Lisa Helps.

[Awaiting Juno]

Why put up with room mates though when anyone can by a clunker of an RV and park it at Dallas Road without any cost at all, for as long as they like?  Why bother with finding ways to live affordably within the rules, when you can just break them?  Why bother addressing any of the problems a person might be struggling with when a person can just wait for the city to bail them out - they'll even staff places at other people's expense to ensure that when a person consumes illicit substances they can be rescued in a timely way.  

 

According to BC housing  - of the secured sheltering facilities on the island, Victoria is host to more than 70% of them.  Victoria with 10% of the island's population plays host to a far disproportionate share of the down and out, and yet we seem to be asking to take on even more of the challenge?  Our streets aren't safe, our parks aren't safe - at what point do the voters finally say ENOUGH? This is no longer about charity but about grift.

[Nparker]

...Victoria with 10% of the island's population plays host to a far disproportionate share of the down and out...

When there's a council that has rolled out the welcome mat, you can't really blame people for taking up the offer.

[Mike K.]

Ultimately it comes down to a vote split.

Vickery and Duncan are most likely to usurp Hardman’s votes. Leitenburg will impact Andrew’s votes. I’m not entirely familiar with some of the other names, or don’t consider them to be significant draws against the two front runners.

[Nparker]

Ultimately it comes down to a vote split...

FPTP is not good democracy.

[mbjj]

The other day on our Sunday Drive we noticed a tent at the grassy area by Gonzales Beach, but it was not near the washrooms, rather in front of the houses on the right as you face the sea. Great seaview!  

[TwilightZoneVictoria]

Why does council think this time around is going to be any different? Or are they spreading the problem around all city parks hoping the issues won't make the news as much?

 

This isn't just COVID. We've been through it already. 

 

https://theprovince....ebacle-must-end

 

https://www.theglobe...rticle28690171/

 

2016: Not enough shelter beds, fire hazards, used needles everywhere,  sexual assault of youths.

 

 

2005 (2008 case)

https://www.theglobe.../article661610/

 

Judge Ross did offer some suggestions to mitigate the impact of her decisions, saying camping in parks doesn't have to interfere with other users.

"This is especially true if the shelters were only used overnight and required to be removed in the morning, or if they were restricted to certain areas."

[TwilightZoneVictoria]

So what does council think of homeless encampments now? This is only 5 years ago.

 

http://www.vancouver...0333/story.html

 

Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps never thought she would ever be planning to set up a tent city in a city park.

But in an effort to both rein in unregulated camping in city parks and help homeless people find more permanent shelter, that's exactly what's in the works.

 

 

City officials estimate several hundred people now routinely stay overnight in city parks and green spaces, leading to complaints of noise and nuisance, as well as the destruction of ecosystems and accumulation of mounds of trash that have to be hauled away. The annual cost is estimated at more than $600,000, including police, bylaw and parks staff time.

 

 

Coun. Geoff Young said he's surprised council has decided to pursue the idea of a designated tenting area given its experience with de facto tent cities in Cridge Park in 2005 and at Centennial Square beside Victoria City Hall in 2011. In both instances, the camps presented fire risks from light sources and camp stoves, were a magnet for drug dealing and prostitution, and brought an increase in crimes, such as car break-ins, to the neighbourhood.

 

Helps said the planned designated tenting area would be "completely different" from the ad hoc Cridge Park and Occupy camps. She compared the planned tent city to the Our Place community shelter. "You walk into Our Place and drug dealing is not tolerated. Violence is not tolerated. Whatever non-profit ends up running the temporary tenting area would have rules in place and security in place," Helps said. "It's meant to be a temporary place, but it's also meant to be a safe place."

 

[Victoria Watcher]

the winning bids were the showers from Salvation Army. and they seemed to be putting up lots of their own money.

a community tent with support of a church.

and something else I forget.

 

 

 

 

 

The total cost of the project is pegged at nearly $142,000, with the Salvation Army picking up the tab for additional staffing costs, insurance, transportation and fresh clothing for clients.

 

Councillors requested that the agency provide a monthly report on how often the mobile shower service is deployed and used.  In related moves, council awarded $22,400 to the Umbrella Society for Addictions and Mental Health to provide outreach services to people in the parks.

 

And James Bay United Church will receive $6,500 to set up a community care tent near Beacon Hill Park where people without homes can connect with outreach teams and pick up food, clothing and other supplies.

 

https://www.timescol...omes-1.24250177

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the umbrella society of course is of course the organization that lisa helps' executive assistant is from and her brother currently works at (both carole james' kids).

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 04 December 2020 - 10:39 AM.