The ongoing discussions about encampments in Chatham aren't sitting well with at least one person working directly with those living at these sites.
Chatham-Kent's council is currently in the process of making a bylaw outlining all the rules that anyone living in a tent on public lands must follow. At their last meeting, council updated its protocols for encampments but delayed a final vote for creating the bylaw after realizing the new rules would eliminate all possible locations in Chatham.
Renee Geniole, executive director of Reach Out Chatham-Kent (R.O.C.K.), told CK News Today it was very concerning how close council was to making encampments illegal.
"Our street friends deserve at least the basic human right of having somewhere to exist," she said.
If council had passed the bylaw without viable locations to camp, it's likely there could have been lawsuits. This is because the Ontario Superior Court of Justice has ruled that public lands can be used to camp out if all shelter space is being used.
Geniole explained that the whole situation is legally and morally complex, and that CK's council has a very tough job. That being said, she said eliminating encampments altogether is not the answer.
"We don't believe [encampments] are a long-term solution, we don't believe they should even exist, but until you give me another option, encampments are our best shot at helping people," added Geniole.
She added that without encampments, people living in tents would scatter across Chatham, and it would be much harder for organizations like R.O.C.K. to keep an eye on them.
Some people believe R.O.C.K. is actually enabling these people instead of helping them. Multiple people spoke at council's last meeting, where they called out the organization for exacerbating the issue. One person specifically claimed that R.O.C.K. is responsible for loose needles being found at the encampments.
Geniole confirmed that they do hand out needles; however, this is done to stop people from using the same ones or sharing them with others. She mentioned this has been studied, and research shows handing out needles does more good than harm.
She also denied the claim that the encampments are full of discarded needles.
"I walk through the [biggest] encampment at least three to four times a week, and I have yet to see a stray needle left on the ground. We support people by giving them empty sharps bins," said Geniole.
She explained that all the work R.O.C.K. does is evidence-based.
Meanwhile, Geniole is hoping council will come up with a better solution for encampments before any bylaw is passed.
She believes that when council first started talking about encampments last month, the focus was on finding a middle ground for both those living in tents and property owners. The latest discussions have her feeling like the focus has shifted in favour of people living near the encampments.
Geniole didn't blame council, rather stating they're just trying to support the loudest group, which in this case is property owners.
"When you have people with privilege that have access to council's ear versus people living in encampments who do not have such privilege, their voices ring louder," she explained.
Geniole said she hopes council understands this isn't about property, but human beings. She also echoed this message to those living near any of Chatham's encampments.
"Is this a perceived fear or a real fear, is it a perceived danger or real danger, is it uncomfortable or is it dangerous? I don't think people are willing to ask themself this question," Geniole stated.
Council will restart discussions about the proposed encampment bylaw at its next meeting on August 25, 2025.