Smithers staff are continuing to look into solutions for some of the reportedly abusive and poor behavior happening around Bovill Square
They’re working with the Smithers Community Services Association, according to Executive Director Cathryn Olmstead.
“I think if there are solutions they have to be around more of a coordinated community effort. And around the behavior not being (tolerated),” says Olmstead.”I think it’s different saying,’you people aren’t allowed here,’ than saying, ‘you are allowed here, the behavior isn’t allowed here.’ Getting people to separate those things.”
She says the shelter being adjacent to Bovill Square isn’t exclusively part of the issue.
The shelter has helped 136 children out of 263 clients since 2014, and last year helped 32 households connect to housing, including 39 children.
Olmstead says there is an influx of people into town during the summer that use the shelter.
“Some people that we see may be using the shelter, may be using the salvation army – it’s hard to say.”
She says the amount of users drop in the winter.
A petition calling for the moving of the Broadway Shelter has since halted after it gleaned less than 40 signatures.
Smithers council has been made aware of business owners and people in the area that are affected by some of the drunkenness and belligerence, calling on staff to seek solutions, with an aim of including some of the troubled people into society.
Smithers RCMP say they have daily visits with some of the ‘chronic’ users at Bovill Square, and encourage the public to report any incidences.
“Citizens are often the eyes and ears for the police, and without this information, the RCMP and local stakeholders have more difficulty collaboratively addressing these social issues. Don’t be afraid to contact us,” said Shaun Begg with the Smithers RCMP via email.