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By Dylana Kneeshaw

KAMLOOPS COUNCIL

“It’s become a hot potato”: Notice of motion seeks solutions to social issues and crime prevention

Feb 24, 2021 | 5:45 PM

KAMLOOPS — Several notices of motion have been filed by city councillors to address social issues in Kamloops recently, and the topic is gaining traction.

The newest motion presented by Councillor Bill Sarai at this week’s council meeting proposes ways to take action to address the mental health and substance use challenges and crimes impacting residents and businesses.

Sarai says addiction and mental health issues are prevalent in cities across B.C recently.

“And you can see it here. Our businesses, our residents are suffering and we can’t police our way out of this. We need to not only help the individual — he deserves the help — but it’s also good for the community.”

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Among the notice items was a request for civic leaders to meet with B.C.’s Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions to reassess addiction treatments and wraparound services with social housing projects.

“Sadly, it’s become a hot potato and whenever it’s a hot potato, everyone throws the potato at each other,” notes Bob Hughes, Executive Director of ASK Wellness. “I really hope that there’s a recognition that there’s some systemic, some deeper changes in how we approach addictions and criminal activity frankly that just simply isn’t putting people into a room and expecting them to get better.”

ASK Wellness and other social agencies have said they’re aware of damage or crimes to nearby businesses or in neighbourhoods. But with the extent of mental health and addiction issues people have, Hughes says they don’t have the resources needed to house, effectively treat and keep tabs on everyone who comes through their door.

“We’re drowning trying to do what we can with these folks. They deserve an opportunity to get better and they need to be pushed toward that.”

As noted in the motion, Sarai wants to see immediate crime prevention steps with 24/7 security patrols in the downtown and Tranquille shopping districts and surveillance camera incentives for businesses. He says there needs to be a balance between getting struggling people the help they need, while keeping businesses safe.

“This is all on the backs of businesses that are already fighting for survival because of COVID,” he says. “And now they have to come out of pocket to fix a $1,000 window three-to-four times a month. It’s just not fair.”

Social service providers and business associations both agree that federal and provincial action is needed to better equip organizations to treat mental health needs, and ensure the justice system can keep problematic individuals from endangering others.

NSBIA Executive Director Jeremy Heighton says the Tranquille corridor has been well aware of these service gaps for years, and is glad to see council discussing potential solutions in a public way.

“We know that some of these challenging community members are beyond our skill level. They’re beyond our knowledge level to deal with,” notes Heighton. “We need professionals. We need outreach workers who are paid a proper wage and given a career track. We need community safety officers who are given the right training and the right motivations to be able to help us in the community. We’re getting there, but it’s a slow, slow process.”

These issues aren’t new and have been discussed by council in the past. At the very least, Sarai says he hopes action will now be taken to start solving the problems.