It’s not something you expect to see in the suburbs, but what was once a Langley park and fishing hole is now a homeless camp, and residents aren’t taking kindly to the new view.
Residents say the camp has been set up for the last nine months and has caused numerous disturbances, including a fire and inappropriate behaviour.
“We see them urinating in open. My daughter’s window… looks right down at that park,” said Peter Hyslop, who lives across the street from the Nicomekl Trails Park.
He added that people from the camp have screamed at and threatened him. He and his neighbours have also had things gone missing.
“I’m willing to pay more on my property tax or income tax to deal with this issue. This is not right for us to have to live this way.”
The City of Langley evicted over 24 campers on Tuesday, along with their stuff, when spots were made available at a local shelter. But there’s still a sizable population at the camp.
Darcy Hawkes is one such camper who remains living in the park. He said the people there are misunderstood.
“Most of the homeless people who are here at this camp are generally good people, they don’t have any intentions of harming anybody, but pressure, poverty, and desperation sometimes pushes people to do some crazy stuff,” Hawkes said.
But that “crazy stuff” is what worries their neighbours. A fire at the camp a couple of weeks ago sent off alarm bells for resident Don Healey.
“If I was as disturbing to my neighbours as they are to us, I would get evicted, and if I didn’t leave the police would remove me,” Healey said.
The city says they are taking a soft approach to the camp and warning campers that the park typically floods due to nearby water. Pictures of past floods have been posted on trees in the park, but the homeless campers aren’t budging.
With files from Jennifer Palma.
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