“I thought this was supposed to be a meeting about public safety.”
Some of those attending the District of Sechelt’s meeting on community safety at the Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre, Oct. 3, appeared to be confused by the format of the event, which focused largely on possible long-term needs and solutions as ways to tackle addiction and homelessness, in hopes offering more supports for vulnerable populations will eventually have an impact on property crime and theft.
What quickly became apparent is the Sunshine Coast is lacking in the resources needed to help addicts on their journey from intake to recovery, through to sober living supports and, finally, independent living.
District of Sechelt Coun. Brenda Rowe, who helped organize the meeting and acted as host, explained to the crowd that the agenda was based on feedback from the initial community safety meeting held in August.
“The topics that we're addressing are those that were most commonly mentioned during the August 21 meeting,” said a visibly frustrated Rowe, noting still to come were discussions on items such as community safety officers, closed circuit TV cameras and street lights. “So, this is not the meeting that you wanted to come for? I invite you to leave.”
At that point, about eight people left the auditorium where approximately 80 residents had gathered to hear the feedback collected at the first meeting, which saw 200 attend and another 40 to 50 turned away at the door due to rules around capacity. That first meeting was organized in response to what many perceive is a rising crime rate in Sechelt.
Speaking at the Oct. 3 meeting was Silas White, who prior to becoming mayor of the Town of Gibsons two years ago, has spent time working as a homeless advocate, including being named head of the Sunshine Coast Homelessness Advisory Committee in 2014, while as a member of council. White discussed the role of the Community Action Team, the proposed Situation Table, and the opioid crisis, among other topics.
Following White on stage, was Sunshine Coast RCMP Detachment Commander, Staff Sgt. Jennifer Prunty, who used her time to explain what it takes to arrest, charge and hold a person for a crime they are accused of. Prunty also discussed current staffing numbers, new initiatives, including bike patrols and the vital importance of reporting crimes in order for the RCMP to direct resources where they’re needed.
Patrick Weiler, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast, also explained how the judicial system works but on a federal level. He said the federal government is responsible for enacting criminal law and procedure, including criminal code provisions related to bail in criminal prosecutions of federal offences other than just the Criminal Code. Weiler also discussed the federal role in criminal justice, decriminalization of drugs and housing supports.
Next on stage was Sechelt Coun. Donna Bell, who explained the Block Watch program to the crowd in an attempt to gauge interest. In response, an audience member questioned its effectiveness in an area made up largely of seniors.
“So, Block Watch, I think it’s awesome,” the woman told Bell. “But if the bulk of our population is senior and going to bed at an earlier time, how are we going to cover that?”
The same person also took umbrage with the use of the term “vulnerable population,” which had been used several times during the course of the evening to describe the homeless men and women living in the tent city on Hightide Avenue, many who also live with addiction.
“Our vulnerable population is not at Hightide,” the woman said. “It’s our senior population. They’re having things stolen they can’t afford to replace. They can’t afford to feed themselves anymore. They’re our vulnerable population, why are we focussing on what you’re doing here and not the safety meeting we came for?”
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