Latest news with #homelessencampment
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Fire tears through homeless encampment, spreads to vegetation near Victorville
A fire engulfed multiple RVs and outbuildings at a homeless encampment just outside of Victorville on Saturday afternoon, then began spreading into nearby vegetation, officials said. The fire, which officials dubbed the Mesa Fire, was first reported about 12:50 p.m. in the area of Lindero Road and Pueblo Trail Road, along the border between Victorville and Phelan, Cal Fire officials said. Firefighters arrived to find multiple RVS and outbuildings engulfed in flames, according to initial reports from the scene. Cal Fire requested assistance from the San Bernardino County Fire Department to extinguish the burning structures and vehicles. Firefighting aircraft were also summoned as the flames began spreading into nearby vegetation. The flames had scorched about half an acre of brush by 1:20 p.m., and the fire was oberved "spotting" ahead of itself, Cal Fire reported. More: Teen girl severely mauled by 10 or more dogs in Newberry Springs, owner under investigation California wildfire map (This story will be updated as additional information becomes available.) This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Fire tears through homeless camp, spreads to brush near Victorville Solve the daily Crossword
CTV News
6 days ago
- CTV News
Province shuts down encampment site at centre of investigation due to potential health and safety risks
Chris Lewis, former OPP commissioner, spoke with CTV News in an exclusive interview elaborating on Barrie Police's approach in the encampment investigation. Saturday marks the tenth day in the investigation at a former homeless encampment just outside of Barrie's downtown core, and the city released a statement after inheriting the area back from police. 'The wooded area between Victoria Street, John Street, and Anne Street South was turned back to the city following a police investigation. The site was secured by city staff [Friday] anticipating the need for significant cleanup,' stated the city in a Saturday morning news release. 'The city requested the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) attend the site to conduct an inspection. Following their investigation, the MECP issued an order under the Environmental Protection Act to close the site down. The amount of waste that is on the site poses health and safety risks as well as environmental concerns and must be cleaned and restored.' The city added that staff are working with the county and other community partners to make sure that anyone affected by the cleanup is provided with shelter and connections to appropriate resources. Garbage A major investigation continues to grip the City of Barrie since police cordoned off Victoria Street, John Street, and Anne Street South on Aug., 8, 2025. (CTV NEWS) The Barrie Police Service (BPS) confirmed on Friday afternoon that investigators 'released' the scene to the city, adding that forensic analysis continues to be conducted. The Cardwell Lake Road area in Huntsville also remains under investigation. Police have chose not to share specific details about the investigation, other than it remains 'isolated' and 'ongoing' under the BPS Major Crime Unit. Last Saturday, Barrie police arrested the man they say is the primary suspect, Robert Ladouceur, 52, who had been considered armed and dangerous. Robert Ladouceur Robert Ladouceur, 52, who also goes by 'Tattoo Rob.' He now faces 19 criminal charges, including multiple weapons offenses related to a handgun and fleeing from police. Ladouceur appeared virtually in court Thursday morning, from a holding room at the Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene. His council will be seeking a date for a special bail hearing. The allegations against him have not been tested in court. With files from CTV's Julianna Balsamo and Luke Simard.
CTV News
08-08-2025
- CTV News
Former OPP commissioner weighs in on Barrie encampment investigation
Barrie police have cordoned off a section of Anne Street for an investigation. Thu., July 31, 2025. As a major police investigation continues to grip the City of Barrie, a former Ontario Provincial Police commissioner is raising questions about the unusually intense and secretive response. Now in its ninth day, the investigation has transformed the area surrounding the former homeless encampment near Victoria Street into a tight-lipped, heavily secured and active police zone. On Friday, large machinery, fencing materials, and city workers gathered near the area, suggesting something more significant than a routine enforcement or cleanup. Anne Street encampment Large machinery, fencing materials, and City of Barrie workers gathered near the Anne Street encampment in Barrie, Ont on Aug., 8, 2025. (CTV News/ Luke Simard) Former OPP commissioner, Chris Lewis, spoke with CTV News in an exclusive interview elaborating on Barrie Police's approach, describing the operation as 'a big, involved, in-depth investigation of some sort.' He added, 'This isn't about a homeless encampment. They're looking for evidence of some sort that is way above and beyond the fact that homeless people were camped out there.' Since police cordoned off Victoria Street, John Street, and Anne Street South late last Wednesday, speculation has grown with the lack of information. Detectives have been working day and night within the wooded area near the site, while the public remains in the dark. Police A section of Barrie's south end remains cordoned off by police. The affected area stretches from Victoria Street to Anne Street in Barrie, Ont. (CTV News/ Rob Cooper) 'There has to be a good reason why Barrie Police aren't releasing information,' Lewis said. 'It's really uncommon in this day and age. When the police generally should be giving more information than less when they can.' According to the Busby Centre, over 40 people had been living in the encampment before it was vacated. Last Saturday, Barrie police arrested, 'primary suspect,' Robert Ladouceur, 52, who had been considered armed and dangerous. He now faces 19 criminal charges, including multiple weapons offenses related to a handgun and fleeing from police. Ladouceur appeared virtually in court Thursday morning, from a holding room at the Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene seeking bail. It is unclear if his arrest and charges are directly linked to the ongoing investigation. Robert Ladouceur Robert Ladouceur, 52, who also goes by 'Tattoo Rob.' Lewis emphasizes that the lack of information has caused frustration within the community, with Barrie residents eager to understand the nature of the investigation. Lewis points out the 'delicate balancing act' law enforcement must maintain. 'It's always a tough rule of balance to try and keep the public aware of what you can tell them without jeopardizing an ongoing investigation or potentially a trial,' he said. The former commissioner touched on the scope of work, 'Nine days in this specific location means they must be sifting through sand and dirt and screening.' Police have been guarding the area all hours of the day, with the site secured by yellow caution tape and barricades. 'You think of people 24/7 guarding the scene, and that's just to protect the scene and stop everyone from going in there,' Lewis told CTV News. The continued silence from Barrie Police has only amplified concerns for residents as it becomes clear this prolonged investigation is anything but ordinary.
CTV News
05-08-2025
- CTV News
Week-long investigation in wooded area near Barrie encampment continues
A section of Barrie's south end remains cordoned off by police. The affected area stretches from Victoria Street to Anne Street in Barrie, Ont. (CTV News/ Rob Cooper) A large part of central Barrie remains cordoned off by police as an investigation that began last Wednesday continues well into Monday. Detectives have been working in the area for several days now. Details are scarce surrounding the large police presence, but here's what we know about the week-long investigation: The night of Wednesday, July 30 - Cordoned off Yellow police tape sanctioned off Victoria Street to Anne Street as officers secured the scene at the homeless encampment last Wednesday. Members with the Busby Centre told CTV News that they have been in the area assisting the community. There are approximately 40 residents that live in this zone. Police tape A section of Barrie's south end remains cordoned off by police. The affected area stretches from Victoria Street to Anne Street in Barrie, Ont on July 31, 2025. (CTV News/ Rob Cooper) Saturday, Aug., 2 - Man arrested On Saturday, a 52-year-old man, Robert Ladouceur, who police confirmed is the primary suspect in this investigation was arrested and remains in custody. Tattoo Rob 1 Robert Ladouceur, 52. (Source: Barrie Police Service/Facebook) Monday, Aug., 5 - Police presence in Huntsville Detectives from the Barrie Police Service Major Crime Unit, as well as additional resources from Investigative Services, are still present in this area Monday, as well as at another location in Huntsville. The large police presence tied to this investigation can be observed in the area of Yearly Road near Cardwell Lake Road in Huntsville on Monday. Yearly Road Yearly Road near Cardwell Lake Road in Huntsville, Ont. (Google Maps) 'To ensure that detectives can conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation, the Barrie Police Service is not able to provide additional details. At this time, the investigation is isolated, and police will continue to be on scene until further notice,' said Peter Leon, corporate communications coordinator with the Barrie Police Service. Barrie Police have not decided to release any further information.
CTV News
03-08-2025
- CTV News
‘Disappointed' Chatham-Kent business closes due to homeless encampment
The Beez Kneez ice cream trailer and the Scrub Hub Car and Dog Wash seen in Chatham, Ont. on Aug. 2, 2025. (Robert Lothain/CTV News WIndsor) A Chatham-Kent ice cream shop is closed for the foreseeable future after the latest encounter with a homeless encampment. The Beez Kneez Ice Cream truck on Grand Avenue East closed its doors in response to safety concerns over the nearby encampment on the Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission property. Dustin Ryan is the co-owner of the ice cream truck and the Scrub Hub Car and Dog Wash, which are located on the same property. Beez Kneez Ice cream truck and car wash chatham Dustin Ryan seen in Chatham, Ont. on Aug. 2, 2025. (Robert Lothain/CTV News WIndsor) Ryan told CTV News that they called 911 three times on July 31, as a result of homeless individuals inside the car wash bays. The third call was in response to an individual who was passed out and not breathing. 'They were very swift showing up on the third call, and when they did show up here… He was dead on arrival. They brought him back to life, which is good,' Ryan said. Ryan couldn't confirm whether the individual had made a full recovery. The ice cream trailer consists of nine student employees and was intended to create more youth employment in the area. After the latest incident, Ryan and his business partner, Tyler McKaig-Campbell, fielded calls from parents concerned about whether it was safe to keep the trailer open. Beez Kneez Ice cream truck and car wash chatham The Beez Kneez ice cream trailer seen in Chatham, Ont. on Aug. 2, 2025. (Robert Lothain/CTV News WIndsor) 'We don't know that somebody is coming in here and doing drugs in our wash bay in the middle of the afternoon and overdosing and needing medical attention, we don't predict that,' he said. They closed the shop with no firm date for reopening. Council decisions Since the encampment moved to Grand Avenue East in mid-July, Ryan said their property has been vandalized and broken into repeatedly. Previously, the encampment was located along the Thames River, but those living on-site were forced to leave due to construction work. At a July 28 Chatham-Kent Council meeting, a motion to keep encampments 100 metres away from residential property was referred back to staff, effectively keeping the Grand Avenue encampment in place. McKaig-Campbell was among the business owners and residents at the meeting who asked council for solutions. 'Let's be real, this is a Band-Aid, and we're going to peel the Band-Aid off and stick a Band-Aid on again somewhere else. We need a solution,' Ryan said. The business owner added he's hoping to see funding come from upper levels of government to help create more permanent solutions. 'I have compassion for them. I mean, it sucks that our whole province is dealing with this,' Ryan added. The municipality did approve a list of initiatives intended to help bolster efforts to find housing for those in need and mitigate the impact of encampments. At a meeting this month, a report is expected to provide appropriate locations for these encampments that fit within a 100, a 50, and a 25-metre setback radius. Future of business Ryan and McKaig-Campbell purchased the car wash in March after already owning investments around the region. However, after their experience in recent weeks, Ryan said they're 'disappointed' they can no longer provide a place for people to be happy. 'It's pretty sad to see our youth at their first summer job to have to grow up later and say, 'Well, I've worked at an ice cream trailer for 10 minutes and then it got shut down,' it's upsetting and it's sad,' Ryan explained. Because of the need for running water and electricity, Ryan said there are no other feasible options to move the trailer. As for the car wash, Ryan said they are likely unable to sell the property due to the encampment. '[Investors are] going to be like, whoa, we have a whole homeless community across the road at a cash-operating business,' he said.
