City’s Ward 3 has done its fair share
There are serious problems in Hamilton with homelessness and addictions. In spite of all the work that is being done, we continue to struggle to have honest conversations about these intensifying societal problems. The most recent discussions have been around what I call shed encampments, otherwise known as tiny homes.
Here are some observations: People with mental illnesses and addictions can be unpredictable. Not all but some, by their actions and behaviours, can make people feel unsafe in their communities. This is not unjustified.
Police data demonstrates an increase in small crimes in neighbourhoods near encampments. We have certainly experienced this where we live in the lower city, in the form of property and vehicle damage, thefts and fires. When there were encampments in Lucy Day Park, people in the neighbourhood experienced thefts. A recent photo accompanying a story about an encampment in Kitchener on CBC clearly shows a bicycle chop operation inside the encampment.
There has been a recent rash of fires in Hamilton. Fire and police indicate that, in some instances, there was evidence of squatting. Tiny huts recently burned down in Kingston, despite the presence of security. In many jurisdictions, including Waterloo Region, encampments are being relocated away from residential neighbourhoods and small business areas. In the past few months there have been three fires set by transient people in the alley behind our shop; two of these required responses by fire services.
People who are living with mental-health issues, addictions and who are homeless deserve help, but the nearby community also deserves a voice when discussions occur about the locations of social services. These include the locations of injection clinics, shed encampments and men’s shelters just to name a few. Social service agencies need to do better, especially if they’re seeking public funds for their initiatives. To undertake token “consultations” with the community after decisions are made is not acceptable. To call potential neighbours of these services names is unprofessional and inappropriate. The media, also, should stop dismissing neighbourhood concerns as NIMBYism, like in The Spec’s editorial on Jan. 28: “Is this a case of, ‘Sure it might be a good idea, but not in my backyard?’ ” Why can’t the reader see a headline like “Proponents and non-profit of services that serve people with high acuity needs need to talk to the community before any strategic planning takes place.”
Also, lost in our best intentions to help those who are in need, are any planning for positive social initiatives in the lower city. Where are the plans for seniors to age successfully at home or for sports and cultural activities for children and families? It would be great if we gave proper effort to looking at how we could re-establish minor sports leagues in Ward 3 and reanimate public spaces. Right now, there are no ice arenas, no skateboard parks and virtually no sports leagues. There are limited senior programs at the Bernie Morelli Centre. A Ward 3 senior who attended YWCA seniors’ programming on MacNab Street lamented that its activity room was taken over to make way for an injection clinic.
It’s time for a moratorium, a circuit break and no-go zone for services for high acuity individuals in Ward 3. We’re a big city, let’s plan for social services in other wards. Ward 3 has done its share. This break would allow us to focus on the implementation of positive social programs and services to nurture and inspire the next generation. Sarah Nurse and Arber Xhekaj, who are elite, nationally recognized hockey players, played their minor hockey at Scott Park arena which has been demolished and was never replaced. To invest in meaningful programming and facilities for our youth will begin to address some of the root causes of some of our societal issues and disrupt the, sadly, prevalent cycle of despair.