Dawson Park fires spark concerns
Riverdale residents say homeless camps in wooded areas threaten neighbourhood
Riverdale residents are calling for action after a string of fires in Dawson Park have left them concerned for the neighbourhood.
Edmonton Fire and Rescue confirmed they have received calls for eight separate fires in the park since Saturday.
Carol Hurst, Edmonton Fire spokeswoman, said the fires were considered minor and there is no known cause at this time.
A number of residents have said the fires were caused by homeless camps in the bush behind the park.
“We didn’t buy into this neighbourhood, this beautiful river valley, just to have it burn down behind us,” said Riverdale resident Joanna Wiebe.
Wiebe said residents have generally been understanding of vulnerable populations sleeping in the park, but she’s worried that respect will deteriorate between the two groups. She said she hasn’t personally reported any of the camps but her neighbours have.
“I know some people go and drag out the camps and do cleanups that way, but it feels like it’s getting so bad now that the peace and the mutual respect is going away,” said Wiebe. “My only concern is when is somebody going to do something about it.”
Several residents raised concerns at a city council committee meeting last week and submitted a letter to councillors outlining their situation, calling the area behind the park “a place where no consequences exist.”
Coun. Scott McKeen said on Wednesday he was assured by city administration that efforts were going to be taken to address the fires in the next few days.
“That nobody has been injured or killed is a blessing,” said McKeen. “We have a housing crisis and these situations, like in Dawson Park, make it more visible for more Edmontonians.”
But in the long term, McKeen said all forms of government — municipal, provincial and federal — need to figure out how to get the homeless population into the city’s shelters.
A report earlier this month showed the number of homeless encampments on public land is up to 486 people this January, up from 388 in 2016 all while the city’s shelters are only 71-per-cent full.
“People are living desperate lives in back alleys and in public areas,” said McKeen, referring to the vulnerable population. “They have complex needs, usually involving physical and mental health issues.”
McKeen said fixing the homeless crisis will free up emergency resources such as fire and police and, in turn, save money for taxpayers.
A spokesperson with EPS said they are not currently investigating any of the fires in the park.