Drug use, theft, squatting and confrontations with staff are on the rise at the Nelson and District Community Complex.

Staff suspended 10 patrons during a two-week period in January, according to Joe Chirico, general manager of community services for the Regional District of Central Kootenay.

His report to the recreation commission on Jan. 28 cited several instances of patrons locking themselves in showers or change rooms, drug paraphernalia found in washrooms, people setting up sleeping bags in the washrooms, money and washroom products being stolen, users not paying to access the facilities, and verbal abuse of staff.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檝e had patrons say to us they91裸聊视频檙e not feeling as safe as they used to be,91裸聊视频� Chirico said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 definitely increased staff stress. Oftentimes, if you confront people you91裸聊视频檝e suspended from the community, they91裸聊视频檙e belligerent, they can be abusive 91裸聊视频� not necessarily physically but verbally, and that takes its toll.

91裸聊视频淸It] just doesn91裸聊视频檛 make the facility a family-positive, public place to come to.91裸聊视频�

Staff have installed used-needle containers throughout the complex, locked several doors that used to remain open throughout the day, and are trying to funnel all visitors past the front desk, he said. They91裸聊视频檙e also considering hiring security.

The challenge, Chirico said, is that people have a right to be in a public place even if they haven91裸聊视频檛 paid to get in 91裸聊视频� especially when it is cold outside 91裸聊视频� and the centre suffers from not having a larger entrance for the public to relax in.

91裸聊视频淲e know we need to be somehow a part of the positive solution for the community, but we91裸聊视频檙e still trying to figure out how we fit into that,91裸聊视频� he said.

91裸聊视频淲e want to be empathetic, but we also want to make sure the facility is safe for patrons and staff.91裸聊视频�

In 2018, a homeless count recorded 101 people living in Nelson without safe, permanent housing 91裸聊视频� more than a third of whom had been without it for more than six months.

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tyler.harper@nelsonstar.com
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