Nanaimo, B.C., proposes $412K iron fence to separate city hall from nearby overdose prevention site

CBC

3 days ago

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The City of Nanaimo is considering building a 1.8-metre-high fence to protect its staff from what it says are "congregations" of people, violence and disorder associated with an overdose prevention site next to city hall.
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.
The plans are outlined in a staff report that 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.
The report was written in advance of a council committee meeting on Wednesday to approve the project and funding.
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.
"We can't fence off everybody's private property," he said.
"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."
'Highly vulnerable and marginalized population'
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.
"Since this relocation, the city has experienced a significant increase in disorder around city hall and SARC," the report says.
"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."
The report says there are "congregations of 20 to 30+ individuals during early morning and evening hours."
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.
It says the overdose prevention site serves a "highly vulnerable and marginalized population" with many living in extreme poverty, with limited access to health care and support services.
It also notes that "installing fencing around a civic facility may be perceived by some members of the public as a symbol of exclusion, especially in the context of visible homelessness and public disorder in surrounding areas."
Public safety group
A public safety group said the plans should be a "wake-up call" for provincial and federal leaders to protect "everyday citizens from those causing mayhem, havoc and violence" on the streets of downtown.
Kevan Shaw, vice-president of the Nanaimo Area Public Safety Association, said it was "horrible, disgusting and sad" that city employees felt scared to come to work, adding that many downtown residents and business owners felt the same.
Krog said the situation around city hall was not as "awful" as the association suggested, but added that he is "very conscious" of the problems facing downtown.
He said he agreed that higher levels of government should act "not only swiftly, but with far more substance than they have to date."
Krog said he was "sympathetic" to the frustrations of the association, adding that the city has hired 12 new community safety officers and 15 new RCMP officers in the past five years, with more coming in this year's budget.
He said that while the cost of the fencing may be "offensive" to some, it is unfair to accuse the municipality of leaving residents and business to fend for themselves.
"When you're talking about the amount of area that has to be covered with fencing, I don't think you'll find the cost is extraordinary in comparison to fencing any other area with a fence that would actually be secure when you're allowing for the kind of gating that's necessary."