Plan to fence off Nanaimo, B.C., city hall to protect from overdose site disorder

National Post

4 days ago

The City of Nanaimo, B.C., is considering building a 1.8-metre-high fence to protect its staff from 'congregations' of people, violence and disorder associated with an overdose prevention site next to city hall.
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Staff proposing the $412,000 fence cite 'intimidation and harassment' of employees, particularly those working early or late, as well as damage to staff vehicles, fires near doorways and building perimeters, human waste, and a general deterioration of the site.
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The plans are outlined in a staff report which says a zoning variance will also be needed to build the 'robust decorative, wrought iron' fence 60 centimetres taller than the permitted 1.2 metres.
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The report was written in advance of a council committee meeting on Wednesday to approve the project and funding.
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Mayor Leonard Krog said in an interview Monday that the municipality had a legal obligation to protect its staff and property, and the final costs may be less or more than the recommended budget.
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'We can't fence off everybody's private property,' he said.
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'We can't control every street, but we do have a duty to our employees, which is legal and present and very clear. This report represents the views of our staff, their feelings, and more importantly, and sadly, their fears and the experience that they have had in the last few years, as we've seen the situation in our streets become the challenge that it is.'
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City hall and its service and resource centre, or SARC, are near the overdose prevention site funded by Island Health and operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association. It was relocated to Albert Street, next to city hall, in December 2022.
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'Since this relocation, the city has experienced a significant increase in disorder around city hall and SARC,' the report says.
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'Disorderly behaviour is common both during and outside the facility's hours of operation. When closed, individuals frequently congregate in the parking lots, gardens, and shaded areas around city hall and SARC, leading to considerable safety and operational challenges.'
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The report says there are 'congregations of 20 to 30+ individuals during early morning and evening hours.'
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The document recommending the fence, which council has yet to approve, says the area is a 'frequent location for congregations, loitering, violence, and property related concerns, including damage to and theft from staff vehicles, fires, litter, vandalism, and safety risks,' especially for staff accessing the resource centre.