Officials in St. Thomas are speaking up about a recent decision to dismantle a homeless encampment after an individual living at the site was brutally beaten this week.
According to police, officers responded to a report of a violent assault at the encampment on Victor Drive early Tuesday morning. When emergency crews arrived, a man was located with serious injuries inflicted by weapons, police said. He was taken to hospital where he remains in stable condition.
Police officials said the encampment, located on a vacant piece of private property, had been established for several weeks. On Wednesday, city workers, with support from other community services, arrived at the site and began the process of dismantling it after several health and public safety concerns were noted.
“A compassionate approach was deployed to remove and relocate those individuals that were living at this location. This site offered zero opportunity for moving out of homelessness,” read a statement from St.Thomas Police Service Chief Marc Roskamp, who added that stolen property was also recovered at the site. “As a collective, we are committed to ensuring community safety and well-being for all residents, holding accountable those that choose to commit crimes, and support and connect to healthy pathways those that choose encampments to live.”
City officials noted encampments have become increasingly common throughout areas in St. Thomas in recent weeks, resulting in a number of concerns and complaints from the community looking for answers and a response to the problem.
“Individuals impacted by [Wednesday’s] activities have been offered and received assistance and support. We know that affordable and supportive housing is the solution to ending homelessness and we will continue our efforts to reach that goal in St. Thomas,” said Social Services Director Heather Sheridan.
The city said it’s social services department will continue its work with existing housing providers, homelessness service providers, and other community stakeholders and organizations to help meet the housing and homelessness prevention needs of residents of St. Thomas and Elgin County.
A 10-page progress report on the city’s housing and homelessness plan can be found on the city’s website.
