Tension builds over homeless camp
SASKATOON — With nowhere else to go, a Saskatoon teen has called a makeshift camp on the bank of the South Saskatchewan River home for months.
He goes by the name TBone and says he knows he’s breaking a city bylaw, but he is homeless.
“I have nowhere to go. Lighthouse won’t let us in, Sally Anne. End up here,” he said in an interview, referring to The Lighthouse, a downtown shelter, and the Salvation Army shelter in nearby Riversdale.
The 16-year-old is one of at least five people who live at the encampment. He and others living there say they are regularly harassed and ticketed by police. Passersby also often take photos of the camp.
T-Bone agreed to speak on the condition that only his nickname be used, because he is breaking the law and is concerned for his safety.
A city bylaw prohibits camping overnight in any park space within city limits, but a recent ruling by British Columbia’s Supreme Court is giving the group hope.
On Wednesday, that court sided with some homeless people embroiled in a dispute with the City of Abbotsford, B.C. The court said the homeless people had the right to camp overnight on public property.
The court ruling has no force in Saskatoon, but TBone said he is optimistic about the ruling.
“I absolutely think we have the right to be here,” he said.
No one from the city could be reached for comment.
T-Bone said after he was kicked out of his parents’ house and bounced around various foster homes, the streets were his only option and the camp has become a refuge.
“I was kicked out. My family disowned me. This is my family. This is who took care of me. It might not be much, but ... ”
Another person living in the tent said police issued a ticket for more than $1,000 earlier this month. Now, the group is considering moving the tent.
DeeAnn Mercier, director of communications at The Lighthouse Supported Living, said she has heard of this type of situation before and that issuing tickets is essentially pointless because people who are homeless can’t afford to pay them.
“Generally, you can’t police your way out of homelessness,” Mercier said.
Social programs for vulnerable people in society will help them make decisions “and build people up,” she said, adding The Lighthouse’s mobile outreach staff are working on connecting with the group and attempting to provide help.
“There are homeless people in our community and they are trying to make ends meet outdoors,” Mercier said. “We’re very concerned about them as the weather turns.”
T-Bone said he doesn’t know what he’s going to do when winter comes. He said he and his companions aren’t the only ones camping on the riverbank.