Kelowna business survey on impact of outreach centre draws response from mayor – Okanagan | 24CA News
An overdose prevention and outreach centre on Leon Avenue in downtown Kelowna is inflicting havoc with close by companies.
That’s based on a current survey, obtainable on the Downtown Kelowna Association’s web site, which says there have been “perceived negative changes to the Pandosy-Leon-Ellis-Lawrence block since the (Interior Health) site opened.”
The 53-page survey reportedly came about from Feb. 22 to March 3, and it drew a response from Kelowna’s mayor, Tom Dyas, who stated town will quickly be hiring six extra law enforcement officials and 4 bylaw officers.
First, although, extra concerning the survey, which had an alleged 118 complete respondents, together with 45 companies inside 500 metres of the outreach centre – the place the homeless congregate each day.
In its govt abstract, the survey stated the business group feels Interior Health and town weren’t clear concerning the opening of the positioning and haven’t made ample efforts to handle it.
The survey featured a number of respondent feedback, albeit all anonymously, together with this one:
“Foot site visitors down dramatically. Having to lock our doorways throughout open (hours) prevents untold variety of guests (good and unhealthy). To date, we’re down 50 per cent in income in comparison with the identical time final 12 months.
“We spend more time and money on preventing theft and dealing (with) vandalism and street disruptions than we can measure.”
The survey additionally stated that the majority respondents have skilled verbal assault and threats of violence, and that 1 in 4 have skilled a bodily assault, and that 1 in 10 have been assaulted with a weapon.
The 53-page survey is obtainable on-line.
On Friday, Kelowna’s mayor issued an announcement to the press concerning the survey.
“I had the opportunity to meet with downtown business owners who expressed concern and frustration in relation to downtown disorder, and I share many of their concerns,” stated Dyas.
“The survey results they shared reflect the RCMP’s data that showed a 12.6 per cent increase in calls for service in the downtown from 2021 to 2022. What we see playing out on our streets across Kelowna including downtown is not acceptable.”
He continued, saying “I heard about workers who really feel unsafe at occasions, the excessive price of vandalism and theft, and shops that now maintain their doorways locked always.
“I heard that more needs to be done for those struggling with the effects of untreated and complex health, mental health and substance use issues, and that more needs to be done to address the resulting social disorder we see on our streets. Most importantly, I heard that businesses want to work with us to see change. We all want a thriving, safe, downtown core.”
Dyas stated metropolis council authorised a one per cent group security levy to assist reply to group security wants. Along with the six cops and 4 bylaw officers to be employed, two police companies help workers and one group security companies worker will even be employed.
The mayor additionally stated he’s had conferences and continued dialogue with provincial and federal ministers on the necessity for an extra complex-care centre.
“Homelessness and affordable housing are also key priorities for this council. Communities across B.C. and Canada continue to manage the downstream impacts of affordable housing shortages, labour shortages, the toxic drug supply crisis and a shortage of appropriate health and mental health supports,” stated Dyas.
“These issues are not unique to Kelowna, but that fact makes the conditions we see in our community no more acceptable for the city, our partners, people who shelter outside, business owners, residents or anyone else.”
Dyas closed the assertion by saying “I am fully committed to working with the business community, citizens, Interior Health, the RCMP, partners in the social-serving sector and senior levels of government to address community safety, housing and homelessness in Kelowna.”
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
