The City of Penticton says a conversation is needed about the issues of homelessness, mental health problems and addiction.
Peter Weeber, Penticton91裸聊视频檚 chief administrative officer, has been collecting photos of instances of these problems around Penticton.
91裸聊视频淚 think the one that really resonated with me is the guy rolling joints and drinking beer in the kid91裸聊视频檚 skateboard park,91裸聊视频� said Weeber, marvelling at the man91裸聊视频檚 lack of concern that someone might take action.
Weeber said he has also seen public evidence of drug addiction and homelessness.
91裸聊视频淭here is no one to help these people, so I am wondering if a positive step forward is to start engaging a conversation,91裸聊视频� said Weeber. These issues fall under provincial and federal jurisdictions, but the city is the immediate focus for people demanding change.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檝e been getting daily phone calls and emails and letters saying that mayor and council have to fix homelessness, drug addiction and mental health,91裸聊视频� said Weeber. 91裸聊视频淲e have limited resources. We are water, roads, sewer, recreation, policing and fire. That91裸聊视频檚 our mandate.91裸聊视频�
That doesn91裸聊视频檛 mean the City of Penticton is ignoring these issues. They have been involved in the past, working to support local agencies and lobbying senior levels of governments and agencies.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e dealing with mental health, addictions and homelessness, which are large social issues that are bigger than the city in terms of our ability and our mandate,91裸聊视频� said Mayor Andrew Jakubeit. 91裸聊视频淲e have helped in the past, partnering with B.C. Housing and giving some land and trying to help with rezoning and facilitating.91裸聊视频�
The city has also been working with and supporting 100 Home Penticton, which has a goal of providing housing and supports to 100 vulnerable people in the community by July 2018.
A homeless man who had set up camp behind the Main Street McDonald91裸聊视频檚 brought the problem to a forefront, according to Jakubeit, when it generated a stir on social media.
Jakubeit said the man is getting help finding a new location through the Martin Street Outreach Clinic, and his site is being packed up.
91裸聊视频淲e really need to figure out a solution. I think some of the local Facebook commenters think it is isolated to Penticton,91裸聊视频� said Jakubeit. 91裸聊视频淚t is all over the place and it is becoming a crisis throughout the province and the country.91裸聊视频�
Weeber agreed with the word crisis, saying that problem implies someone is doing something wrong.
91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 think the city is doing anything wrong, and I don91裸聊视频檛 think the people that are helping are doing anything wrong. I think this is a crisis that needs to be managed in a different way than we are going now. That91裸聊视频檚 not easy,91裸聊视频� said Weeber.
The RCMP are planning a public forum for July 12 on policing and public safety. Jakubeit expects these issues will be brought up there. He calls it a pivotal opportunity to hear what the RCMP plans are to deal with safety issues, but also hear some ideas from the community and other service providers.
Jakubeit said another complication is that an addict can91裸聊视频檛 be forced to stop taking drugs or where to take them, or a homeless person to take shelter that gets provided to them.
91裸聊视频淭hey need to want to change or accept the offer. It is very frustrating and beginning to come to a boiling point,91裸聊视频� said Jakubeit. 91裸聊视频淲e need to put more pressure on, most notably on the provincial government because the Health Authority falls under them as well.91裸聊视频�
The next step, Jakubeit said, is the July 12 RCMP town hall meeting and then a community symposium on mental health, addictions, and homelessness.
91裸聊视频淲e have had success with 100 homes Penticton; which is linking non-profits and faith-based groups with a common vision, and they have made some progress,91裸聊视频� said Jakubeit. 91裸聊视频淣ow we need to connect and link the various agencies with 100 Homes and the greater community to create some solutions to implement.91裸聊视频�
