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MERIDIANSOURCE.CA
VOLUME 7 I ISSUE 16
Frustration boils over shelter location DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER
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It’s been five years in the making. Frustrations surrounding living conditions near the Lloydminster Men’s Shelter have recently boiled over. Graeme Friesen has lived nearby since late 2006. He’s also the board president of the Glencoe Condominium Corporation. It’s a 64-unit condo complex within 500 meters of the shelter. He expressed many concerns to the Meridian Source after writing a letter opposing the new shelter proposal. “I have witnessed a drastic increase in property damage, theft, and violence in the area, particularly in the past five years,” said Friesen. “My experience is consistent with research indicating a 56 per cent increase in property crime near shelters and with the experiences of the tenants of the 64 condo units I help oversee.” Drug use, discarded needles, theft and trespassing are all significant concerns of the residents. The operation of the shelter effects those in north-east Lloydminster daily. “Everyone I’ve asked about the matter who lives in this area (including myself) has been a victim of increased theft or vandalism,” said Friesen. “Expensive tools have been stolen from vehicles. Bikes and propane have been stolen. Patio items have been abused, damaged, or taken.” Vince Scott is a local landowner and businessperson. He recently found an individual sleeping inside a locked vehicle they had brought into the business. Additionally, he spoke of how unsafe it is for anyone to be outside. “My office assistant lives nearby and
Dan Gray Meridian Source Photo wants to walk to work,” said Scott. “She can’t, not without being badgered or intimidated, she can’t walk to work.” This sentiment permeates the community where kids can’t play at the local park anymore. Meanwhile, some say they can’t even cross the street due to some of the unhoused. The frequent discovery and disposal of needles, drugs and paraphernalia in backyards and on sidewalks, they say, is worse in their area than anywhere else in the city. However, many recognized the need for the shelter. They just don’t want the expansion in their area. Scott wants the whole project to move towards the north end of town. “We’ve always had these issues, not to this magnitude, though. There is an old
office building in the industrial park. You could do it in layers,” he suggested. “You could have men on one floor, women on another, mental health on another … you could control who comes in and out, and you’re not in a residential area.” A local group organized a town hall, where safety concerns were one of the main topics. Although some discussions became heated, attendees described it as a valuable way to exchange ideas. Additionally, shelter board members were there to take some of the feedback from the community. Even with the recent rule changes at the shelter, there has been very little noticeable change. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
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