After community complaints of drug use, vandalism, harassment, and unsafety, the Cariboo Memorial Centre will no longer be used as a warming centre.
“This is to save our children, save our teenagers, to save our community from harm,” says Councillor Scott Nelson, who brought forth the late motion to Council Tuesday night [Dec. 3].
“Drug addicts don’t mix with our children, and it’s time to put our foot down. There are other locations in our community where warming centres are available.”
Nelson’s late motion on the Council Meeting Agenda comes from the community and the complex’s staff feedback on the dangers that surround the complex and the public.
According to Nelson, City Staff, and Williams Lake RCMP, addicts have been found using drugs in and around the facilities, lighting fires, and abusing staff. There have been reports of needles and other drug paraphernalia found on the site.
Nelson’s recommendation was “quite clear” and called for the immediate shutdown of the Cariboo Memorial Complex as a warming centre.
In addition, the motion asked that the Council and City openly communicate the other warming centre areas, that outside organisations be made aware of the immediate shutdown and stop promoting the Complex as a warming centre, and that the Council and Staff provide additional security and get more RCMP involved in protecting the area.
“I understand and feel for people, but there comes a point where there’s a right and a wrong… we’re creating a toxic environment.”
Gary Muraca, Chief Administrative Officer for the City, says that the City is already in the process of securing the added security and the RCMP.
“The last two weekends, I’ve spent on the phone with RCMP and staff, and it has escalated from what we have seen in the past,” says Muraca.
“Staff have already taken the steps to have the RCMP do additional patrols. We have already initiated that Bylaw [officers] will be doing patrols daily as well. We have had the discussion with the joint committee saying that we will be hiring additional security, and will be added to the pool as a cost of doing business.”
Councillor Michael Moses and Acting Mayor Councillor Joan Flaspohler had concerns of removing another warming zone for the public. However, both agreed that the issues need to be addressed and handled.
“I can fully see and understand the need for a change for safety, for everyone in this situation,” Councillor Moses says. “This is becoming an issue that is a danger to the families that are attending Cariboo Memorial on a daily basis.”
The motion was approved with only Acting Mayor Flaspohler opposing.
“I am not opposed to motion in general,” Flaspohler says. “However, the wording of removing a warming centre without another one to replace it right away gives me a pause for concern. This is an issue, and this needs to be addressed regardless.”
Councillor Nelson says this motion is to show that Council “are trying to make a statement to the community that we are hearing their concerns”. The Memorial Complex will remain a public building for everyone in the community to use.
Nelson adds that Council is taking steps to “ban bad things and bad people from abusing the space.”
The other warming centres across Williams Lake are still open for those who are in need.
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