No new encampments will be allowed on city-owned property according to an amendment to the Encampment Response Protocol.
In a release, the city of Sarnia noted that the amended protocol does not recognize any city-owned lands where an encampment would be permitted.
"Any new encampments on city property, individuals can call our by-law department to address them, and they'll be addressed under the protocol," Manager of Communications for the City of Sarnia, Steve Henschel tells The Journal. "We just wanted to make clear that distinction between private and public property. We have seen a number of people calling in to report encampments on what turns out to be private property. Our by-law officers don't have the authority to address those, and it would actually ultimately have to be brought to police by the property owner, because they would be the ones reporting trespassing."
The process for reporting an encampment will have Sarnia By-Law Enforcement address the individuals experiencing homelessness, offering support services. These officers will inform the individuals of the requirement to vacate and police will only get involved if necessary.
This protocol does not apply to private property, and encampments on privately owned land can be reported directly to Sarnia Police Services.
"There can be challenges because sometimes there's private property that's part of larger areas that might be adjacent to a park. Think of an undeveloped site or an industrial property that looks like it might be part of a road right-of-way," says Henschel. "If they believe it to be on public property, certainly reach out to us. However, if they know it's on private property or we discover it's on private property, we're going to send them to the police and the report would have to come from the property owner."
Rainbow Park is also excluded from this amendment, as the city continues to review options to address this area legally. By-law enforcement will continue to respond to reports concerning violations of the protocol’s safety requirements and other municipal by-laws such as open fires, non-permitted structures, and trailers.
To report an encampment on municipal property please get in touch with the City of Sarnia By-law Enforcement at 519-332-0330 ext. 3301 or e-mail [email protected].
More information on the City’s Encampment Response Protocol, can be found at www.sarnia.ca/EncampmentProtocol