Pubdate: Tue, 02 Jun 2009
Source: Telegraph-Journal (Saint John, CN NK)
Copyright: 2009 Brunswick News Inc.
Contact: http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/onsite.php?page=contact
Website: http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2878
Author: Benjamin Shingler

FREDERICTON GROUP TACKLES RIVERBANK TENT CITY

FREDERICTON - Officials in Fredericton are hoping that early action
this year will help address an unsightly problem that annually plagues
the provincial capital.

As the temperature rises and the water recedes, a swath of land along
the St. John River becomes home to a small city of tent dwellers.

Human excrement, broken glass and used needles have all been found in
the area hidden amidst the brush on Fredericton's south side, behind
the Delta Hotel and Government House, which is home to the province's
lieutenant-governor.

In past summers, the space has been occupied by a mixed group of
residents - the homeless, addicts, people with mental health issues
and drug dealers.

A committee made up of local politicians, community leaders and city
police has been meeting regularly for more than a month to come up
with a solution and address the systemic issues at the root of the
problem.

The tent city population fluctuates between two and about a dozen
during the summer months, depending on the weather and the time of
day.

When visited Monday afternoon, there were only two tents in the area,
set up near a fire pit, in the midst of broken bottles and other debris.

Brian Duplessis, executive director of the Fredericton Homeless
Shelter and member of the committee, said they are trying to tackle
the problem before more tents are in place this summer.

"We've been meeting for a few weeks now with the goal to understand
the needs of the individuals down there and identify the risks going
on down there," he said. "Hopefully, with this proactive approach,
those who need that help will be able to get it."

Duplessis said some of the tent dwellers in the past either chose not
to use the shelter, or aren't allowed to because of a history of
violence or substance abuse.

He also said drug dealers tend to prey on the campers, not only
selling them drugs but sometimes stealing their belongings as well.

Const. Ralph Currie, spokesman for the Fredericton Police, said the
force's primary concern is public safety.

"Our people are down there continually monitoring the situation and,
if there is any illegal activity then we're acting upon that," he
said. "We have to also be cognizant that we're not going to just
redistribute a problem from one area to another."

There are legal issues about when and how to try to evict the campers
and recent court rulings in British Columbia could make the city pause
before contemplating a sweeping eviction or cleanup of the site.

Valerie MacCullam, executive director of the John Howard Society of
Fredericton and committee member, said they are considering adding
garbage cans, a public washroom and containers to collect used needles.

She also said the province and the local community are taking steps to
address the broader problems of homelessness and drug abuse. She said
more affordable housing in Fredericton is coming soon and that
additional resources would also help. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake