Police presence near outreach centre won't dissipate anytime soon, says chief
CBC
Charlottetown residents can expect a continued police presence near the Community Outreach Centre.
Charlottetown Police Chief Brad McConnell told a meeting of city council Tuesday night he intends keep local residents involved in how the site is managed from a police perspective as well. This would be a continuation of work already done in the neighbourhood, where police knocked on doors to talk to residents in advance of the outreach centre's opening.
The centre opened in its new location just off Park Street last month, an area represented by Coun. Justin Muttart. He questioned MacConnell on how police had defined who the neighbours of the centre are.
"I do feel like we are generalizing that it is just Park Street and Beach Street," said Muttart.
"But it does expand further than that."
Muttart wants to see police extend their canvassing efforts to areas such as Kensington Road. MacConnell committed to extending his efforts.
"Certainly our focus was on Beach Street/Park Street for our public consultation," MacConnell said.
"We know there are migration paths and other people impacted and we will continue with our commitment to do as much as outreach and consultation as we can as we move forward here. I am happy so far with our efforts in that area, I think we are receiving good feedback."
When the centre was located on Euston Street some residents who lived near it complained about public drug use, trespassing, threats, discarded needles, property damage and declining property values. A meeting was held by police at the nearby Birchwood School where hundreds of people attended and voiced their concerns. Feedback was also loud and clear when a provincial legislative standing committee went on the road to hear about services offered in Charlottetown for those facing homelessness and struggling with drug dependency, with some folks suggesting the centre be shut down completely.
MacConnell is hoping those issues won't follow the centre to Park Street.
"I've asked my officers assigned to the area to make sure we have the heartbeat of those communities by the hour," he said.
"I am very optimistic from what I am seeing so far that our front-load approach and our outreach and our collaboration with the province and other stakeholders is paying dividends."
People who live near the centre have told Muttart there is a heavy police presence and that is reassuring them, but many are worried that will decline into summer, he said.
"I would strongly suggest and recommend that continues at the pace at which it is occurring now," said Muttart.
