Regina emergency shelter draws controversy over location near daycare, school, seniors’ complex | 24CA News
A brand new complex-needs emergency shelter is coming to Regina as a part of an 18-month pilot venture, however not everyone seems to be pleased with the news.
The provincial authorities made the announcement on the shelter in December, however considerations are being raised now that persons are studying extra.
Upwards of 100 individuals gathered Monday night time to voice their considerations to police and authorities officers on the place the power might be positioned.
The present plans have the shelter positioned in Regina’s McNab group. The shelter can be proper subsequent to the Orr Daycare centre, Luther High School and a seniors advanced.
Plans for the shelter embrace bringing individuals which have been arrested for public intoxication to the power, the place they are going to be saved for as much as 24 hours.
Shawn Fenwick, the Regina Police Service north district inspector, stated police make roughly 75 public intoxication arrests each month.
“Our role is to bring an individual to the facility if they aren’t facing any other criminal charges, if they’re an adult, if they’re not combative and a very low risk,” Fenwick stated.
And whereas some individuals consider any such shelter is required, the situation is an issue.
“Overall, I feel it is a good stepping stone and our province needs this,” stated Joylynn Russel, secretary of the McNab group affiliation.
“They did not consult us though, and because of the approach they took, it upset a lot of people. The closeness of it, especially to a day care… We are always concerned about our children.”
Shanon Zachidniak, town councilor for Ward 8, helped arrange the assembly for individuals to voice their considerations in regards to the venture.
“There’s been a lot of folks in the community who’ve expressed their concerns and wanted the opportunity to ask questions,” she stated
“A lot of the concerns that folks had is, the safety of the neighborhood… The main concern that I heard was when people are leaving the facility, how can we ensure that people are getting to wherever they need to go and not just wandering around the neighbourhood.”
Regina resident Barb Shields was in attendance on the assembly.
“People need help, and they don’t need to be detained by the police,” Shields stated. “This is an opportunity for people to get some help. It’s the location of the facility that has people concerned, with vulnerable seniors, children and schools nearby.”
“With a daycare facility right there, it concerns me people could be throwing a needle over the fence or other things. And does that leave the daycare having to check the property every morning? No one wants a child to be exposed to something like that, especially at their daycare.”
Robert Kraushar, a registered social employee within the metropolis, stated this shelter seems like a band-aid answer to a bigger problem.
“The name of it all was very misleading,” Kraushar stated in regard to the emergency shelter. “It’s more of a holding facility for 24 hours maximum.
“We need housing and wrap-around supports. We need therapeutic avenues for people and we need treatment beds to be available. I just don’t think this facility is going to hit the mark of helping lead people towards treatment.”
Saskatoon metropolis council not too long ago accredited a bylaw stopping emergency shelters from opening up inside 250 metres of elementary colleges. Regina at present doesn’t have an identical bylaw.
Police and authorities officers in attendance instructed residents the power wouldn’t fall below this class.
They went on to make sure the power can be locked and have safety. It’s anticipated to be in operation by early subsequent winter.
Global News’ has reached out to the province concerning potential adjustments to the power and its location however didn’t obtain a response earlier than publication.
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