City Addresses Tent Encampments - August 19, 2022 - Micah Quinn

Tent encampments have continued to be a growing concern here in Lethbridge. As of Friday, the Clean Sweep Program has responded to 150 calls related to encampments throughout our city. The city says 95 per cent of the smaller encampment calls have been resolved. From August 5th to the 11th, 1048 needles and 40 pipes 40 were disposed of by city crews. On August 10th the Clean Sweep Program removed 1,130 kilograms of debris from the tent sites by Civic Centre Park. Mike Fox, the Director of Community Services, says the issue of tent encampments is not an easy fix.

"There isn't enough permanent supportive housing and we work with the province on that. I believe there will be some transitional housing opening back up. Although I haven't gotten the final word on that one. I am hoping that provides some options. Entrenched encampments, there's a lot of studies and information out there that once an encampment becomes entrenched, it is not safe for the occupants or residences surrounding the area. It is better to make sure that we can physically clean up the area and make sure that the area is safe for everybody."

The city says weekly cleanups at the encampment by Civic Centre Park will continue and they are working on community engagement for the possibility of bringing in a temporary sober shelter that would be able to accommodate 40 to 60 people.

Aired on: Friday, August 19, 2022

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