Council considering zoning extension for temporary shelter

A summary of public feedback regarding the issue, according to City officials, is a desire to help the homeless, while also addressing the concerns of downtown businesses and nearby residents.

Crime, violence, and break-ins downtown were noted among some of the concerns, as were drugs, vandalism and the safety of staff and clients of downtown businesses.

Among those who called in to the public hearing to express those concerns was downtown business owner Tracy Chabot, who says downtown Red Deer’s “social justice experiment” is an epic fail.

“The injection site and shelter must go, we cannot survive the ongoing fall out,” she said. “We are on the cusp of the point of no return in the downtown. The negative stigma continues to grow, businesses continue to move out, and many tenants I spoke to are waiting for their leases to be up and they will move out as well.”

Chabot suggested businesses most affected by those accessing the temporary shelter should be considered for immediate tax relief from The City, have 24/7 security around the shelter, dedicated garbage cleanup around the facility, and removal of graffiti, among others.

Fellow downtown business owner Jason MacDonald shares Chabot’s frustration.

“I operate a business just 150 metres away and I see there’s not a day goes by where I do not see someone being threatened, someone being assaulted, some sort of drug deal or questionable activity happening and the City has just really turned a blind eye to it,” he remarked.

Diana Rude, another nearby business owner, says she’s completely disheartened by what’s happened to the area.

“I’m voicing my concerns because I want to continue living and working and operating a business out of Red Deer,” said Rude. “But based on the crime and overall safety issues, it’s hard to see it as a viable place to be in if this continues in this direction.”

Brett Speight, CEO of United Way of Central Alberta, however, urged community collaboration in finding a solution.

“While supporting homeless individuals and businesses together is not an easy task, it is possible,” said Speight. “As an organization, United Way Central Alberta is closely connected with both social service agencies and business. We’re committed to working with all involved to help find a solution that serves all citizens and businesses.”

“Crime is of course an issue and we need to find solutions, but it is not only the homeless people,” added Christine Stewart, Executive Director at Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Central Alberta. “I would argue that many of our homeless people are also victims and would also like to feel safe. So please, let’s work together to find solutions to crime while ensuring that all people in our community are kept safe.”

“I have heard countless stories of how people are concerned about their safety and public defecation and issues of belligerence,” implored Stacey Carmichael, Executive Director at Turning Point. “We have solutions to a lot of those things and we’ve never been able to implement them yet.”

“The false narrative of us versus them, business versus non-profit, valuable citizens versus non-contributing citizens,” she continued. “We’re allowing this false narrative to continue and it’s leaving us in this very bad spot. We’re responding to these issues, we’re not creating them, and it’s quite simply insulting that we always hear otherwise.”

Due to the length of Tuesday’s public hearing city council will consider second and third reading of the bylaw amendment for the temporary shelter on Wednesday during a special meeting starting at 1:30 p.m.

by Sheldon Spackman

Council considering zoning extension for temporary shelter

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