Neighbours of Nanaimo tent city replacement homes say increased security too little, too late
Posted January 20, 2019 8:51 am.
Last Updated January 20, 2019 9:19 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NANAIMO (NEWS 1130) — Even though security has been stepped up in the area, neighbours of a new supportive housing complex in Nanaimo are not convinced that’s enough.
Some who have been complaining about safety since 80 temporary modular homes went up in December include Fred MacDonald who says crime spiked after a longstanding tent city was dismantled and people living there moved into a site managed by BC Housing at 250 Terminal Avenue.
“Our children and seniors are still prisoners in their own homes. I see it as rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. The ship still sinks,” MacDonald says.
BC Housing’s Dominic Flanagan says efforts are being made to ensure all safety concerns are addressed.
“We are actively working with the RCMP, the city and the non-profit housing operator, Island Crisis Care Society, to make sure that only residents and authorized people are accessing the site. It is not ideal. We really do hear the concerns around safety and we recognize that everybody has a right and wants to feel safe in their own neighbourhood.”
However, MacDonald says he still expects this to be an issue heading into the January 30th byelection for a new MLA to replace Leonard Krog, now the mayor of Nanaimo.
“We said this was going to be a disaster. It’s been a complete disaster. We’ve got an all-candidates meeting coming up. It’s going to be a very, very hot topic.”
MacDonald adds a recent spike in crime includes property theft and vandalism.
“We still have 78 individuals living in a facility where they’re free to drug-deal, in and out, over the fence. We’re just watching cautiously as they attempt to do a few things they should have done in the very beginning.”
Flanagan says other steps taken to give neighbours peace of mind include the installation of improved lighting at the site.
“We’ve also hired an experienced security firm and they will be at the site 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Not just to be internal, but also external.”
The temporary modular homes went up in December at 250 Terminal Avenue after a longstanding tent city was dismantled.
