Complaints prompt Charlottetown deputy mayor call for police plan on illicit drug use
CBC
Prompted by complaints, Charlottetown's deputy mayor wants to hear from police about how it plans to address illicit drug use in the city "to help residents feel safer in their homes."
Deputy Mayor Alanna Jankov put forward a notice of motion at city council's meeting Monday night for police to create a plan and share with the community how they hope to address illicit drug use and illegal behaviours in the city
"I found it was a very constructive way to bring this to council after hearing a lot of residents' concerns," Jankov said, adding a lot of the complaints are connected to clients of the Community Outreach Centre, which was established two years ago on Euston Street..
"I just thought by bringing this notice of motion this will start some steps to find some positive way for us all to live happily and safely in the community."
Several councillors spoke at the meeting, saying they have heard about people who live near the outreach centre being threatened, as well as dealing with property being damaged, thefts and trespassing.
Jankov is hoping for a positive approach from a police plan.
"It's a great opportunity for council to have many, many questions that they would like to have answered, as well as looking at our other government partners to see how we can work together and find a successful outcome for everybody," she said.
It is not just a question of police enforcement, she added.
"They don't just deal with the enforcement piece, they are dealing mental health and addictions. They deal directly with the different levels of government when it comes to health," Jankov said.
"I think we can do better. All of us together."
Coun. Mitchell Tweel, who represents the Ward 4 location of the centre, said he gets calls every day from residents who live nearby and feel threatened by clients of the centre.
"This was a very poor decision right from the outset," he said, adding the centre should not be located close to schools.
"This community was not consulted in any which way, shape or form."
The issues around the outreach centre are causing some to put their homes up for sale, Tweel said.
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