Two encampments cleared as new city policy takes effect

One day after the city started enforcing a protocol to ban homeless encampments in many areas, including at schools and playgrounds, the city says two small sites have been removed.

City officials say they have now found housing for about three to four people, enabling them to move out of homeless camps at 395 Pacific Ave. and a park behind 655 Empress St.

“It’s meaningful, I think, particularly for the neighbours. I have a great deal of empathy for folks who are living in encampments. These are people who are surviving. But at the same time, we have to balance that with our responsibility to the public to maintain these important public spaces. And seeing the difference in those two sites yesterday was quite remarkable,” said Greg MacPherson, the city’s acting manager for community development.

While the number of people staying at each site fluctuated in the past, one person was believed to regularly stay at the Empress location and two or three were at the Pacific Avenue one before the city stepped in, said MacPherson.

He did not know the exact type of housing provided in each case.

“I’m confident in saying that … where they’ve ended up is much safer and a much better situation for them than where they were,” said MacPherson.

He said loads of garbage were removed from both properties.

One of the two encampment sites shut down remained in disarray a day later. Behind the Montana’s BBQ & Bar, the remnants of a makeshift living area were still visible Tuesday — discarded clothing, a baby stroller, children’s toys, broken glass, empty naloxone kits, and assorted debris scattered across a wide stretch of ground tucked against a fence separating the site from the nearby railroad tracks.

At 395 Pacific Ave., in clear view of a playground along Ellen Street, the only remaining sign of an encampment was a large orange tarp and a few scattered items along the western fence backing onto Ellen. Nearby, a woman’s dress lay on the ground.

At both locations, the city had posted laminated signs stating that camping was prohibited. Each notice warned that camping in Priority 1 and Priority 2 areas is forbidden under Parks Bylaw and Council Minute No. 514.

“A violation of these prohibitions constitute trespass and will be enforced,” the sign read.

— with files from Scott Billeck

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca