Close it down, it is nothing more then a haven for drug addicts, hookers, thieves and thugs.
Daniela Cousin - 6 years ago
The encampment has become a destination for the destitute but also for a criminal element that appears to have already begun preying on the weak and defenceless. This is NOT a solution ... downtown Nanaimo has become a free for all, something out of a Mad Max flick where citizens are being attacked and business ransacked. Supporters of the camp have to do more than just make demands ... why don't they:
Try to locate an assistance program for the individual ...
Help Apply for Public Housing and/or Section 8 Housing. ...
Apply for Transitional Housing. ...
Find home owners who are willing to bring a person into their home ...
Make sure their ID is current and available... because there are many "help wanted" signs in our city.
It's one thing to stand there and make demands on behalf of someone else ... it's another to actually do something constructive and make a difference.
Dave - 6 years ago
``the answer was housing without conditions:. This should never happen. The condition I had, was to work and make mortgage payments, pay taxes ect. Nothings free in this world
Common Sense - 6 years ago
The city should have removed them after ONE night.
Why are those discontent city residents getting free water, sewer and garbage services?
Why should non discontent residents pay?
I think the city has suffered enough from those in charge.
Just another episode with this city council, i think it is time for a big change at city council.
At first I was in favour of having some place to go for those in "Nanaimo" who have found themselves out on the street, or who have chosen, yes, chosen to be on the street and that number is around 50.
But, it has now gotten out of control. Theft is rampant. People have died and stabbings have occured.
Some who have been on a treatment plan for addictions, have now fallen off. A steady stream of harm reduction and naloxone is required and I have heard drug dealers are making a lot of money.
If the organizers were truly, truly interested in the welfare of those in tent city, they would work towards a better solution than simply demanding specific housing with no strings attached. Recommend and encourage users into treatment.
Speaking of housing, I would prefer that if the province supplied housing, that it be done on the basis for those really wanting to move beyond street life and into and to maintain treatment. But, when I brought this up with the players at city hall, the answer was housing without conditions. I cannot accept that, Even habitat for humanity requires new owners to put in sweat equity.
What we are doing now is not sustainable. How much of our GDP, or your paycheque should go to support an industry of social housing management with little or no requirement to beyond that.
The same city representative suggested that we need 10% of our population in social housing units,
What if in an economic downturn many find themselves without a home, and are not qualified to have a place because you're a round peg and we are only servicing square boxes at the moment. This has happened to an educated young lady in Vancouver who found herself living in her car due to health and economic realities. Luckily, she has now found a job, and an apartment. But, she said there was no support for her from NGOs or the government.
So, if people want to camp out at this site, let them do it, but under the supervision of some established organization or the city itself. Requiring credentials before entering the space is complete bulls***.
Anne frank - 6 years ago
This needs to get shut down, people need to think of the safety of children and other people. This place has damaged the city and how beautiful and safe it used to be. Downtown is a scary place now thanks to this trash. SHUT IT DOWN!
Close it down, it is nothing more then a haven for drug addicts, hookers, thieves and thugs.
The encampment has become a destination for the destitute but also for a criminal element that appears to have already begun preying on the weak and defenceless. This is NOT a solution ... downtown Nanaimo has become a free for all, something out of a Mad Max flick where citizens are being attacked and business ransacked. Supporters of the camp have to do more than just make demands ... why don't they:
Try to locate an assistance program for the individual ...
Help Apply for Public Housing and/or Section 8 Housing. ...
Apply for Transitional Housing. ...
Find home owners who are willing to bring a person into their home ...
Make sure their ID is current and available... because there are many "help wanted" signs in our city.
It's one thing to stand there and make demands on behalf of someone else ... it's another to actually do something constructive and make a difference.
``the answer was housing without conditions:. This should never happen. The condition I had, was to work and make mortgage payments, pay taxes ect. Nothings free in this world
The city should have removed them after ONE night.
Why are those discontent city residents getting free water, sewer and garbage services?
Why should non discontent residents pay?
I think the city has suffered enough from those in charge.
Just another episode with this city council, i think it is time for a big change at city council.
At first I was in favour of having some place to go for those in "Nanaimo" who have found themselves out on the street, or who have chosen, yes, chosen to be on the street and that number is around 50.
But, it has now gotten out of control. Theft is rampant. People have died and stabbings have occured.
Some who have been on a treatment plan for addictions, have now fallen off. A steady stream of harm reduction and naloxone is required and I have heard drug dealers are making a lot of money.
If the organizers were truly, truly interested in the welfare of those in tent city, they would work towards a better solution than simply demanding specific housing with no strings attached. Recommend and encourage users into treatment.
Speaking of housing, I would prefer that if the province supplied housing, that it be done on the basis for those really wanting to move beyond street life and into and to maintain treatment. But, when I brought this up with the players at city hall, the answer was housing without conditions. I cannot accept that, Even habitat for humanity requires new owners to put in sweat equity.
What we are doing now is not sustainable. How much of our GDP, or your paycheque should go to support an industry of social housing management with little or no requirement to beyond that.
The same city representative suggested that we need 10% of our population in social housing units,
What if in an economic downturn many find themselves without a home, and are not qualified to have a place because you're a round peg and we are only servicing square boxes at the moment. This has happened to an educated young lady in Vancouver who found herself living in her car due to health and economic realities. Luckily, she has now found a job, and an apartment. But, she said there was no support for her from NGOs or the government.
So, if people want to camp out at this site, let them do it, but under the supervision of some established organization or the city itself. Requiring credentials before entering the space is complete bulls***.
This needs to get shut down, people need to think of the safety of children and other people. This place has damaged the city and how beautiful and safe it used to be. Downtown is a scary place now thanks to this trash. SHUT IT DOWN!