Security officers hired for Community Outreach Centre as complaints rise

The Community Outreach Centre in downtown Charlottetown has hired a security team in light of a rising number of complaints from residents in the area.

Two security officers will monitor the exterior of the Euston Street building and the surrounding area. The centre's director said their role will be to enforce restrictions, help de-escalate tense situations, and keep people not allowed to be on the premises off the site — as well as away from neighbouring properties.

"[They will] be another set of trained eyes in regards to concerns for clients, and [will] help us with being able to monitor what's going on in the properties beside us," said Roxanne Carter-Thompson. 

"It's really important to us to be good neighbours."

The provincially funded outreach centre offers support to people seeking financial assistance, counselling, employment, food and housing. People can use the building's washrooms, laundry facilities, phones and computers, as well as connect with community and government organizations and services.

But managers have been dealing with complaints about property damage, theft, and threats since shortly after it was moved to the location in the spring of 2021.

Earlier this summer, Charlottetown police said it had hired two full-time officers responsible for safety in the area. At that time, police said they were dealing with two to three calls a day at the centre.

Carter-Thompson said the new security measure won't replace police presence in the neighbourhood.

"It's going to be a complement," she said of the security team. "I don't think that one cancels out the other."

Charlottetown Chief of Police Brad MacConnell said he welcomes the development.

"Our hope is that this added security presence will prevent incidents from occurring and therefore reduce the calls for service for police and first responders," he said in an email to CBC News, adding that his department hopes "the presence of security will promote a safe environment at that location and the surrounding area."

The provincial government is providing the funding for the new positions through its Housing Department, a spokesperson said in an email on Tuesday.

"We've added to our current security contract with the security company responsible for the Park Street Emergency Shelter to add security services at the Outreach Centre," the email said in part.

"To be clear, we aren't taking away from security services at Park Street but adding additional security support to the Outreach Centre."