Saskatoon homeless shelter says it needs metal detector to address violence from crystal meth

The Lighthouse homeless shelter in Saskatoon says increasing violence linked to a spike in crystal meth use is the reason it needs $60,000 to install a walk-through metal detector to scan people coming into the main entrance. 

Fundraising co-ordinator Susan Scharf said the facility has noticed drug dealers frequenting the area around the downtown facility to prey on vulnerable people.

"Our frontline staff, they're reporting a consistent increase in violent aggressive behaviour," said Scharf.

More damages to facility

Scharf declined to comment on the seriousness of violent incidents at the shelter, but said they have occurred. She said there has not been any fatalities. 

We want people to come to downtown Saskatoon and not be afraid of the Lighthouse.- Susan Scharf, Lighthouse Supported Living fundraising co-ordinator

The shelter has also been forced to repair broken windows and interior damage, and clean graffiti such as gang tags off the building on 20th Street E and Second Avenue S.

Scharf said the Lighthouse management directly attributes the rising violence and vandalism to increasing crystal meth use.

She said both the quality and the price of the drug have dropped in the past three months.

New measures to keep vulnerable people safe

The facility is now asking for the public's help to pay for a front entrance renovation and employment of a full-time safety officer to monitor the premises.

"Will it be a welcome mat, warm fuzzy [entrance]? No. But, if our people can sleep better, knowing that they're safer, I'm willing to give up the warm fuzzy welcome mat for that."

The $60,0000 renovation starts next week. Scharf said the shelter has raised about 15 per cent of that amount, but needs the remainder to cover the cost of the renovation.

"We want to be a good community neighbour, we want to be proactive in this, we want people to come to downtown Saskatoon and not be afraid of the Lighthouse," said Scharf.

"So we just feel that we need to really focus on keeping our people safe and on safety and do a better job of that from the public perspective, too."

Police response

Saskatoon Police spokesperson Alyson Edwards said crystal meth use is increasing across the city but the police service has not noticed rising use in the area around the Lighthouse.

She said the majority of police calls to the Lighthouse relate to disturbances, intoxication and suspicious activity.

Edwards said those incidents can be attributed to a range of addictions and mental health issues.  

"That's a great thing that they're trying to do but I would hesitate to identify one specific problem or substance," said Edwards.

She added that the police beat patrol has been focused on that area for a long time.