Maple Ridge heads to court to close homeless camp

The City of Maple Ridge is seeking a court injunction to shut down a homeless camp near the intersection of St. Anne Avenue and 223 Street.

A group called the Alliance Against Displacement set up the camp in early May on municipal property and has refused to leave.

"Of particular concern are the reports of human waste, garbage and used drug paraphernalia both on the St. Anne property and being found on nearby private properties," the city said in a news release.

The AAD is protesting the closure of the Rain City shelter, which is the only low barrier shelter in Maple Ridge.

The matter will be heard in B.C. Supreme Court on Monday.

"The city considers the unauthorized camp to be both a trespass on city property and a breach of city bylaws and has, since May 2, been unsuccessfully attempting to obtain the voluntary agreement of those in the camp to leave," the city said.

Meanwhile, a separate protest is scheduled for this afternoon outside the Rain City shelter, which is set to close today.