The Lighthouse says crystal meth use is increasingly becoming a concern in the downtown Saskatoon core and the the shelter is now calling on the public for help.
The emergency shelter is raising $60,000 to install a metal detector and renovate the front entrance.
The staff believes the new measures would reduce the amount of drugs and weapons entering in the building.
“We want to make sure the tenants are safe because some of them are vulnerable and some of them have physical or mental challenges,” Don Windels, executive director of Lighthouse Supported Living, said.
“We want to make sure everyone here is safe.”
The Lighthouse also hopes to hire two additional staff members to maintain 24-hour staffing levels for the new entrance. The plan is for the new staff to do bag and belonging checks for those entering the facility.
“They’ll have to check in their bags, if they don’t want us going through them then we won’t,” Windels said. “They can put them on the shelf and they won’t have access to them, and when they come back they can get their bag and leave.”
The shelter has already hired an internal & community safety worker to help with after-hours safety on the property.
Officials are trying to curb the amount of people loitering in the area, impacting some of the vulnerable users of the facility.
“If you’re spending the night and you’re sleeping next to somebody, we want to make sure that they’re not carrying anything so they can have a nice sleep as well.” Windels said.
Donations to the shelter can be made in-person, over the phone, or online.
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