Advertisement

Dealing with park campers a vexing problem for Vernon city council

Click to play video: 'Vernon council debates options for homeless camp in linear park'
Vernon council debates options for homeless camp in linear park
Vernon council debates options for homeless camp in linear park – Oct 11, 2017

Vernon city councillors are divided on how they should handle complaints about homeless people camping in a local park.

RCMP say between 12 and 15 people are staying in a linear park along 25th Avenue each night.

That’s down from the 25 to 40 who were camping in Polson Park before the city enacted a bylaw regulating how that park is used.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Councillor Scott Anderson has proposed banning all camping in the area.

“The reason I say that is because we attract a transient population from elsewhere who take advantage of that to come to Vernon and use our services,” said Anderson.

But the mayor says that will only shift the problem to other parts of the city.

“My fear is they will move to residential areas which is the next areas they tend to gravitate towards,” said Akbal Mund. “One being Hidden Park which is surrounded by homes.”

Story continues below advertisement

Council has decided to delay taking any action while it considers other options before its next meeting.

-With Files from CKIZ-FM-

Sponsored content

AdChoices