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Trouble for Langley City neighbourhood in wake of rec centre closure

Closure of temporary Timms Centre has led to formation of tent city and confrontations with homeless, says area resident
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Residents in the Eastleigh Crescent neighbourhood where the Timms Community Centre was located say that since the temporary facility closed, the area has become a gathering place for the homeless, leading to a rash of thefts and the occasional confrontation. The mayor says while he sympathizes, there is little the municipality can immediately do. On Monday, results of the City’s task force on homelessness were presented to council.

The closure of the temporary Timms Community Centre on Eastleigh Crescent is making life difficult for people living nearby, with tent cities, needles, violence, open drug use and crime now on their doorstep.

“There are fights, residents are threatened, we are stepping over needles everywhere, sometimes there are upwards of 30 shopping carts here,” said Tim, (not his real name) an area resident, who doesn’t want to be identified for fear of retribution.

That retribution has already been felt,  he said, after residents of one apartment called police about a woman who came at them with a knife. She was arrested and released, only to return with a bigger knife, said Tim.

“I’ve lived here a year and it’s never been this bad,” he said. Theft from the parking lots is rampant. Apartment management has had to hire security for at least one complex. Police are in the area on a daily basis, Tim claims.

Also located near Eastleigh Crescent is the Vineyard Church, which feeds and clothes Langley’s homeless. The drop-in centre is also located on that street in Langley City and the B.C. income assistance office (welfare) is located nearby.

Langley City Mayor Ted Schaffer said he is aware of the issues that have arisen since the temporary community centre was closed last February when the new Timms Centre opened next to City Hall.

“We sympathize, but we as a city can only do so much,” said Schaffer. He said the Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that allows homeless people to camp overnight ties the hands of the law and of municipalities.

“It’s frustrating for the City, it’s doubly frustrating for our bylaw officers,” said Schaffer.

Recently, the mayor took part in  a ride-a-long with Langley RCMP Supt. Murray Power to identify trouble spots.

Schaffer said he has spoken to people living on the street many times to try to find out how the City can help.

“There are really three different pockets in the City where the homeless seem to gather. And there are two elements out there: those who have serious mental health issues and may be pushing shopping carts, some with eight or 10 buggies, and those down on their luck who don’t want to associate with the other group,” he said.

Some, he said, don’t want to go to the Gateway of Hope. “They want to be on their own with no restrictions and no rules,” said Schaffer. Those are the men and women who pose the biggest challenge.

“At the end of the day, this issue won’t go away until the province starts to help,” he said.

City CAO Francis Cheung said the property owner has been working with the homeless to move along those who will go and ask that those who are staying be respectful of where they put their needles and garbage.

At Monday’s City council meeting, the findings of the municipality’s homelessness task force, formed last spring, were tabled.

Numerous stakeholders have been consulted and the report (see related story on page 1) hopes to address some next steps.

Already, the City has been working hard to address this complex issue, said Schaffer. Two retired reserve constables have been hired and are called out from time to time.

Langley RCMP do bike patrol in the city. As well, the City hired an additional officer this year,” said Schaffer. The city provides tax breaks to the Gateway of Hope and Stepping Stone.

Also, the City has a team of officers now working full-time out of the Community Police Office.

Schaffer said he has been in talks with Fraser Health to try to get a team of mental health professionals to be a presence in Langley. Surrey and Vancouver have several of these teams set up, which include a nurse practitioner.

Also, he has been in talks with Fraser Health about the public’s concern with used needles.

While needle exchange boxes have been put up around the City, it hasn’t solved the problem.

The report ‘won’t solve the homeless problem,” said Coun. Gayle Martin, who chaired the homeless task force.

She said she is aware the public is anxious for solutions.

But the City will be advocating for more from the provincial and federal governments in the way of supportive housing for those who want help, a youth shelter and steering a Fraser Valley regional homeless committee as well as a joint task force with the Township.



Monique Tamminga

About the Author: Monique Tamminga

Monique brings 20 years of award-winning journalism experience to the role of editor at the Penticton Western News. Of those years, 17 were spent working as a senior reporter and acting editor with the Langley Advance Times.
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