Town Hall Addresses Addictions, Homelessness and Crime

Fears of going downtown to shop or work were laid bare on Sunday evening as the Good Neighbour Group held a Town Hall.

Attended by just over 100 people the Town Hall had people speak out about their fears, views and experiences when it came to homelessness, addictions and crimes surrounding it.

It was a message of condition critical for the downtown and the very existence of the businesses and the jobs they provide.

While at the same time the opposing view saw it as one of survival for many homeless who are battling addictions.

Despite the varying - and sometimes opposing viewpoints - Town Hall moderator Carolyn Ross said she was very happy to see it.

Moderator Carolyn Ross - MJ Independent photo

“It is (a little bit depressing) but they are crucial conversations that need to happen,” Ross said, adding “it’s hard to hear some of the things like (Jacqui L’Heureux - Mason) said “we’re back and forth but I think as a community I think we all want the same thing.”

An example of the opposing viewpoints came when one attendee said any homeless shelter should not be in the downtown core. While a recovering addict said it would make a difference.

The individual said if people really wanted to get clean and kick their addictions they would go to a better located.

Whereas a recovering addict said people with addictions would not venture to the outskirts of the community for shelter and services.

Another area where there was a clash was one person felt safe injection sites was actually enabling people with their addictions.

A second recovering addict said safe injection sites help save lives and by harm reduction helps keep dirty needles out of Crescent Park.

Despite the seemingly tall mountains to climb to solve the problems she said the community has the opportunity to overcome them.

“I think this community is unique because together we are better. I’ve seen it in the past. Coming out of this I think we’ve got some really good things coming out of this.”

Asked by MJ Independent if she was happy with businesses finally having the opportunity to speak about their experiences she said she was.

Just over 100 showed up for the Town Hall on Sunday - MJ Independent photo

“I’m happy that the businesses are heard. Again I had a resident say to me there was no problem downtown. I encouraged him to go and visit the downtown and have those conversations,” she said.

Ross made mention of the stories she heard while handing out candy canes in the downtown during the Christmas shopping rush.

“I heard stories that broke my heart. It broke my heart in the sense that the business owners are dealing with it. But the people…nobody wants people unhoused, unwell and hungry. We all want the same thing. We all want the same thing. We just need to come together.”

Asked if GNG’s handing out candy canes actually had two functions - to add some Christmas cheer but also add additional eyes and ears in the downtown - she agreed.

“Honestly it was to increase foot traffic because we did hear businesses didn’t want to be open late because they were afraid. So how can we help? Let’s put together a bunch of people. Buy a bunch of candy canes and go spread some Christmas cheer.”

Regarding recovering addicts attending and expressing their views Ross was happy they spoke up. But it was also a teeter totter they were on.

“My hat is off to those folks. That is a hard journey. I have family with the same thing. It is a struggle everyday to stay on that sober path. But we also have a lot of people who don’t want the help. Don’t see it as a problem. And it is crossing that line into the crimes,” she said.

People recovering from addictions and not committing crimes are no problem for GNG she said.

“These folks here they are not a concern downtown. They are not a concern to our business owners…we are not wanting to shun anybody…we need to work together to get these people the help they need and move forward.”

PEOPLE SLEEP IN A DOWNTOWN ATM - MJ INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO

Asked by MJ Independent what sort of an impact street crimes have had on downtown businesses Ross said she could tell the experience of one business.

“He (downtown business owner) told me he will have different sporting events and tournaments in town and people want to come downtown and shop they will call ahead and ask if it’s OK to bring their kids downtown,” Ross said.

She made mention about how on social media the city has been called Meth Jaw and not Moose Jaw.

“Do we want that? And do you realize $85 million, and that’s the low end, that tourism brings in?…we can’t lose downtown so how are we going to come together for a solution that will work for everybody?”

As part of that solution the GNG group has plans to sit down with Mayor Clive Tolley and Moose Jaw Police Service Chief Rick Bourassa in March to discuss their concerns and the issues.

Ross said she honestly thought there needed to be another meeting, although not in a town hall format, to work out an action plan.

“We need to talk about what that corrective action looks like and of course the accountability that should go with it.”

Asked about how important it was to be accountable given another group held a closed door by invitation only meeting to deal with homelessness on December 15th Ross said it was very important.

“We have to be transparent and perception. People perceive there’s no problem downtown others are telling you a different story. I think those stories need to be out there and needed to be shared so people can see the other side,” she said.

Asked about the lack of attendance by some of the people who favour a downtown shelter Ross said a Sunday evening meeting may not have been conducive to their attendance.

At Sunday evening’s town hall it did not look like the homelessness advocacy group Square One were in attendance.

The John Howard Society, who operate the emergency shelter, were in attendance.

In order to shine light on GNG we asked Ross just who were they.

“We are just a bunch of community people who work for the betterment of the community. We’re a grassroots organization that is all about unity in the community.”

GNG has no board she said but hold meetings.

She said “there is no line in the sand” when asked about the group’s philosophy.

“Everybody is for one goal and that is our community.”

For more information, tell your story or help out you can write goodneighbourmj@gmail.com for more information.

We will have other stories forthcoming from this Town Hall.