Tent city sparks debate Erecting Structures 14.

By Darren Handschuh - Sep 22, 2017 / 12:27 PM

The problem remains the same, but the solution is as elusive as ever. This spring, Vernon city council allowed homeless people to camp in area parks, resulting in a so-called "tent city" in the boardwalk area of Polson Park. Several other parks were also turned into camps, but in August, council changed the rules allowing people to camp in area parks only from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. The bylaw was since tweaked further to allow people to set up before dark.Now, a new tent camp has popped up along the 25th Avenue linear park. On Friday morning, at least half a dozen tents were set up along the busy road. Campers have been lingering in the area throughout the day. Tne man posted on Facebook that as he was walking along the pathway, he asked three campers to allow him room to get past. According to the man, he was told to go around. That started an online conversation about what to do with the homeless community. But, like the numerous debates in the past, there were many opinions, but no real answers. Many are intimidated by the homeless and are avoiding the area. Some said the city needs to do more, but Coun. Scott Anderson says the city is doing what it can. “Unfortunately, the province has not stepped in, and Vernon simply doesn't have the resources to solve the issue on any level. We don't have the resources to solve drug addiction, lack of housing, mental issues, or any of it. That's a fact, like it or not, so asking us to 'do more' or 'do something' is not only to ignore that our municipal resources are stretched tight in just trying to stay above water on this problem, but to ask of the city an impossibility,” said Anderson. “Anyone who has taken the time to interact with these folks ... knows very well that these folks come to cities with lax bylaws, lax enforcement and easy access to services. That's why they're here. So we have one option, and that is to try to discourage more people from coming here,” he added.
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https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/parks_and_public_places_bylaw_5057_0.pdf  P.16 Erecting Structures  section 14.