The issue of open drug use in Prince George has reached a fever pitch once again.
Groups like the Prince George Public Library and PG Sexual Assault Centre have either had to move locations or restrict public washroom access due to drug use and increased instances of vandalism.
These organizations are putting increased pressure on the city to help deal with the ongoing problem – most notably in the downtown core.
In addition, the Chamber of Commerce sounded off after noticing drug needles, foil wraps, and baggies on the front steps of a business.
Tuesday morning after a long weekend. 15 syringes, at least 20 foil wraps, 4 baggies, 6 roaches, cigarette butts, food containers and empty naloxone shots. @jjhorgan @s_malcolmson @Dave_Eby @Lynhallpg How are businesses meant to succeed, grow and employ more people when 1/2 pic.twitter.com/XfaO4osfJ6
— Todd C (@PGChamberCEO) August 3, 2021
Mayor Lyn Hall told MyPGNow.com supports like the integrated housing model on 1st Avenue is on the horizon.
“If we have 100 units of supportive housing will be in the next six months. I know that is six months away but that supportive housing will give supports to people with mental illness and drug addiction. It will give them healthcare supports right on-site including accommodation.”
“Will it be the ultimate solution where you see nobody on the street that is suffering from homelessness, mental illness, or drug addiction, I don’t think so but I think this will be a huge start. You will hear that there is room at our shelters but for me, it’s supportive housing, not shelter housing that is going to be the short-range solution. Shelter housing is without question needed but I think it’s the supportive housing piece that is so important.”
A proposal to deliver an additional 50 safe and supportive homes for people experiencing homelessness is also in the works and would be located on the same block as the 1st Avenue project.
Hall readily admits tensions are running high to shore up the problem, given the amount of time and investment that has gone into propping up the downtown core.
“The frustrating piece for me is that I look out my window and I see a new pool, I see student housing, condo development across from TELUS and the new Hyatt hotel those are amenities that have needed downtown but to offset that, we are dealing with a homeless issue we have not seen before.”
The city continues to have discussions with the PG RCMP about the possibility of having increased foot patrols in the downtown area.
“I don’t know that you are going to eradicate it (the social issues downtown). I think what it boils down to is that the RCMP is doing a tremendous amount of work in our downtown but at the end of the day, it’s about the numbers of patrols, the number of officers that they can put into the downtown area to conduct ongoing patrols. We also have by law enforcement officers that are downtown as well but they do not have arresting power.”
The city will be dealing with the proposed Safe Streets bylaw during the August 30th council meeting.
In June, the City of Terrace declared their downtown in crisis after discussions regarding, homelessness, drug addiction, and mental illness.