, the nomadic tent city led by Chrissy Brett and has returned to Saanich.
The group is in its ninth week and currently totals about eight people bunked in Cadboro-Gyro Park.
After three weeks in Oak Bay Brett said the relationship with Oak Bay Police had run its course. The group moved through Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 downtown to Willows Beach park and then to Uplands Park, where it vacated on Halloween. It was a somewhat controversial departure for whatB次元官网网址檚 meant to be a peaceful protest.
Brett said reports of vandalism at their last site, Uplands Park, were overblown after Oak Bay complained it might have to pay $1,500 for a B次元官网网址渢ribute benchB次元官网网址� that was B次元官网网址渟pray painted.B次元官网网址� What was actually painted was the feet of the weathered and aging bench, said Brett, which one of the campers took upon himself to sand and restore, albeit without permission from Oak Bay Parks.
ItB次元官网网址檚 yet another instance of the community overlooking the group for what it is, a moving prayer vigil that calls for basic human rights.
B次元官网网址淣eedles and defecation seems to be all the media and community want to focus on,B次元官网网址� Brett said. B次元官网网址淎re a couple needles our biggest problem? Why isnB次元官网网址檛 the general public concerned about how 1,387 homeless people across Greater Victoria are without basic human rights. If we were refugees weB次元官网网址檇 have basic [amenities] that homeless people donB次元官网网址檛 have.B次元官网网址�
(The number 1,387 comes from the Greater Victoria Point In Time homeless count of February, 2016.)
So far, the response to the tent city from visitors to Cadboro-Gyro Park, at least those who interact with Brett, is positive, she said. A representative from Cadboro Bay Residents Association visited to welcome them.
To talk with Brett is to enter into a political discussion (youB次元官网网址檒l need time to talk to her if youB次元官网网址檙e going to).
Saanich PoliceB次元官网网址檚 Community Engagement division has been fair to the group, helping to arrange a portable outhouse when the group tented at Hampton Park last month, and act as a de-facto liaison for the community at large.
B次元官网网址淲e anticipate no problems,B次元官网网址� said Saanich Sgt. Andy Stuart of Saanich PoliceB次元官网网址檚 Community Engagement. B次元官网网址淚n my experience [Brett] doesnB次元官网网址檛 want negative press. We had no issues when they were at Gorge and Hampton, IB次元官网网址檓 not concerned with them at Cadboro Bay.B次元官网网址�
What Brett hopes to secure through a conversation with the province is a section of fenced in provincial land with electricity, running water, toilets and showers.
B次元官网网址淲e all qualify for $375 towards basic rent assistance if we have an address,B次元官网网址� Brett said. B次元官网网址淲hy not put each personB次元官网网址檚 $375 towards [the amenities] of a safe location.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not a sober group but we provide support for people who are overlooked and wouldnB次元官网网址檛 get otherwise.B次元官网网址�
The group expect to move out by Nov. 6 but havenB次元官网网址檛 said where it will head.
There are a few regular visitors who provide various supports to the tent city group. They range from mental health outreach programs to Saanich Police.
B次元官网网址淲e try to help them,B次元官网网址� Stuart said. B次元官网网址淸At Gorge] we left the washrooms open 24-hours, checked them daily and no issues, no needles, no mess, in case thatB次元官网网址檚 people are worried about that.B次元官网网址�
Stuart, who regularly managers campers in Saanich parks, particularly Cuthbert Holmes, said heB次元官网网址檚 received emails from the public worried about the tent city group regarding needles and drug paraphernalia.
B次元官网网址淭he reality is Saanich Parks staff find capped needles in parks all over, so to say that this [group] is the only people doing that is inaccurate. WeB次元官网网址檙e going to hold them to the seven days, but not holding them to a line in the sand.B次元官网网址�
