Tents at Rainbow Park, May 16, 2024 (Photo by: Lindsay Newman/ Blackburn Media)Tents at Rainbow Park, May 16, 2024 (Photo by: Lindsay Newman/ Blackburn Media)
Sarnia

City of Sarnia continues encampment enforcement

Encampments continue to be addressed by the City of Sarnia under the Encampment Response Protocol.

As of Friday, all encampments reported on municipal property have been addressed by the city.

Staff said individuals have been voluntarily vacating the premises.

The protocol was amended earlier this month and does not identify any city-owned lands where an encampment would be permitted.

The city said it outlines a process, where any encampments reported on municipal property are addressed by Sarnia Bylaw Enforcement, while working with the county to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with support services.

Meanwhile, the city explains legal challenges continue in connection to the potential removal of the encampment at Rainbow Park.

"While the city continues to review options to legally address the encampment, bylaw enforcement continues to respond to reports as they relate to violations of the protocol's safety requirements and other municipal bylaws such as open fires, dogs at large and non-permitted structures and trailers," a news release said.

The city is reminding residents the protocol does not apply to private property. The city says encampments on private property must be reported to the Sarnia Police Service by the property owner.

To report an encampment on municipal property, residents are advised to contact City of Sarnia Bylaw Enforcement at 519-332-0330 extension 3301 or e-mail bylawenforcement@sarnia.ca

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