Residents wary after Charlottetown's outreach centre relocates to their neighourhood

The Community Outreach Centre officially opened at its new site in Charlottetown over the weekend, but some residents are concerned the issues that plagued the centre at its old location will follow it to their neighbourhood.

The outreach centre has been operating since Saturday morning out of a series of mobile trailers at the end of Park Street, next to the area where a temporary overnight emergency shelter is located. 

Previously, the centre had been located at the former Charlottetown Curling Club on Euston Street. People who lived nearby had long complained about discarded needles, open drug use and loitering. 

Luke Leunes, who lives on Beach Street close to the centre's new location, said he'd seen similar issues cropping up after the emergency shelter opened at the end of 2022. 

Since the outreach centre's operations opened over the weekend, Leunes said he's noticed more foot traffic around his backyard. 

"My concern is that it's going to end up becoming like the outreach centre that was on Euston. I do see the police are making a presence and trying their best for that not to happen, but we will see what happens," he said. 

"In some ways, it gives me pause about being in my backyard, but it also gives me a reason to be in my backyard. Because if I don't know what's going on and I just have a blind eye to it, it's only going to get worse." 

The outreach centre, which provides services to people who are struggling with housing or other issues, was established in June 2021.

It has been operated by the Adventure Group since April 2022.

Residents near its previous Euston Street location had lodged numerous complaints, including allegations of trespassing, public drug use, and threats from people thought to be its clients. They also said it had been inappropriate to allow it to operate near two schools and senior-friendly apartments.

In January, Charlottetown council narrowly approved a temporary variance for one year to allow the centre to move to Park Street, with Mayor Philip Brown casting the deciding vote in favour to break a tie.

Mitch Tweel, the councillor for the area that includes Euston Street, said the operation had been a "real detriment" to his community. 

While he was pleased at the decision to move it, Tweel said it would be hypocritical to say it's a better fit at Park Street. 

"My heart goes out to the people that live [in that area]," he told CBC News on Monday. "After what we've gone through, I wouldn't wish this on anyone. I said right from day one that this facility should be shut down, and the majority of people that I've talked to felt the same way."