Abbotsford homeless pack up camp, move down the street
A group of homeless people in Abbotsford, B.C., obeyed a city order Thursday morning and packed up their makeshift camp — only to relocate about 30 metres away.
Abbotsford city officials issued an order to vacate the camp on Gladys Avenue earlier this week, citing health and safety concerns. The camp's residents were given until 8 a.m. PT this morning to gather up their belongings and move on.
"My goal is for the city to be respectful ... and to try to make this as least traumatic as possible," said Abbotsford Mayor Bruce Banman.
"But at the end of the day we have to consider people's health and this just not a healthy atmosphere for people to be in."
The campers did begin to move their possessions from the site Thursday morning — opting to move the camp about 30 metres down the street.
It's not yet clear how Abbotsford city officials will respond to the move.
Earlier this year, it was revealed chicken manure was dumped at the site in order to deter homeless people and apparent drug users from congregating there.
Both the city manager and mayor apologized for the incident. Emails later obtained by CBC News show managers from Abbotsford’s bylaw, forestry and parks departments were all involved.