A Chatham councillor is asking for the public to be included in a new advisory committee for homeless encampments, particularly the large one at the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) property in east Chatham.
Councillor Michael Bondy will put forward a motion at Chatham-Kent council's meeting on Monday night, asking for an advisory committee to be formed with equal representation from council, residents living beside the encampment area, area business owners and/or operators, and municipal administration.
Administration said a recommendation-making encampment committee comprised of experts already exists, adding that it remains the most appropriate way to deal with encampment issues.
The existing committee is made up of staff from Housing Services, Parks, Recreation, and Facilities, Public Works, Legal Services, Chatham-Kent Police, Chatham-Kent Fire, and Chatham-Kent PUC.
Bondy said some members of the public are upset because they feel they haven't been heard or consulted about the encampment issue.
Bondy said he's been bombarded with public complaints recently about the PUC encampment and he feels the public should be more engaged in encampment recommendations.
"Recommendations going to council with zero public input. This would allow the public to be part of that formation of recommendations," said Bondy. "The people in the area feel that they have been absolutely and completely ignored when it comes to everything encampment and this is a response to that."
A municipal sign has gone up at the PUC encampment asking people to respect private spaces and preventing unauthorized video and audio recordings. Bondy wants the signs removed because people have the right to film in a public space.
Bondy said he's received a few complaints lately about the signs from people who feel their rights are being trampled.
"Now if somebody gets captured by my video and they don't like that, that's kind of too bad because when you're in a public setting like that, there's a great likelihood that you can be captured on video. So, that's a chance and a risk that you take by attending a public space," Bondy said.
He also noted dismantling the encampment is worth the court challenge, adding that the municipality is encouraging homeless encampments because of the supports it's offering.
Bondy noted homeless people should be getting treatment and not living rough at "Club PUC".
Administration recommends additional financial or staff resources if a new committee is stuck to prevent current housing and homelessness projects from being adversely impacted. The municipality said staff currently working to address increasing issues in housing and homelessness already have enough on their plate and need to remain focused on existing key strategic priorities of council regarding this issue.
Administration added that Chatham-Kent Police has met with community members regarding the PUC encampment and has educated them on how to establish a Neighbourhood Watch group.
