Charlottetown police balance resident safety with needs of people seeking help from outreach centre

Charlottetown police Chief Brad MacConnell says there will be an increased police presence around the new Community Outreach Centre on Park Street.

The centre is moving from Euston Street to the area where the temporary overnight emergency shelter is located. The province said the move could happen as early as this weekend.

Residents of the Euston Street location have long complained about discarded needles, open drug use and loitering at the outreach centre. Residents living near the new location are expressing similar concerns.

MacConnell said police will do their best to lessen those impacts while helping to ensure the centre can fulfil its purpose of helping vulnerable citizens who may be dealing with addictions or other problems.

"I think it's imperative that we front-load this with some policing resources and make sure that we get it off on the right foot," MacConnell said.

"And then residents not only feel safe, but they … believe that they can bring their problems very quickly to police that will be in the area and will be accessible and be responsive to deal with issues."

The province has sponsored six police officers to keep the Park Street area safe, as well as to keep a presence at the vacated space. However, MacConnell said it will take a broader approach that includes both police and Charlottetown's public works department. 

"I think everyone, you know, in the spirit of what is trying to be accomplished, here wants the services to succeed," he said. "And we all want to lessen the impact of the people in the neighbourhoods where their services are being provided."

MacConnell toured the new outreach centre on Tuesday and said the location and setup should work smoother than the old location, which was in a highly visible area of the city near schools and playgrounds.

"I was impressed by the layout and the way the staff have put some careful consideration into the way the housing component will interact with the outreach centre and how people will access it from the exterior. So I was encouraged by what I see so far," he said.

"Time will tell."

Residents concerned

Justin Muttart, the Charlottetown councillor who represents the Park Street area, said residents have already been contacting him with questions and concerns. He said he'll be watching how it plays out.

"I think it's the unknown. People are just very concerned about what to expect, you know, on day one and then moving forward and what that impact is going to have on the surrounding community in this particular area," he said.

Muttart was hoping the city and province would delay moving the outreach centre until they were certain they had a model that would work, and he acknowledged that these services aren't easy to implement without creating some impact.

"I think it is just, you know, that's where that work needs to be done, to really scope out the city."