Charlottetown returning seized items to encampment residents, but preventative barriers remain, says advocate

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Per week after seizing a lot of propane tanks in addition to cooking and heating home equipment, the Metropolis of Charlottetown is giving again the gadgets staff took from an encampment of unhoused residents.

On Oct. 12, members of Charlottetown’s police and fireplace departments in addition to metropolis staff entered the encampment situated on the Charlottetown Occasion Grounds after receiving a fireplace hazard criticism.

Kent Mitchell, fireplace inspector for the town, mentioned metropolis staff took three 20-pound propane tanks, a propane burner for cooking, a selfmade wooden burning drum, one other undescribed equipment and {an electrical} extension wire that was spliced into an influence field.

“The potential for fireplace there was nice, so we couldn’t simply go away that,” he mentioned.

“Not one of the tents that had been sealed up, none of these had been disrupted. We simply went in and had a glance as a result of we obtained a criticism, and something that was hazardous, we needed to rectify it.”

Speedy hazard

Mitchell mentioned the gadgets had been seized as a result of they posed a right away fireplace hazard, noting the cable that was spliced into the field was related to a number of energy bars, which had wires operating to a number of tents. He additionally mentioned the propane tanks had been mendacity in a pile of rubbish, and the opposite gadgets had been both underneath tarps or close to flamable supplies.

Since seizing the gadgets, Mitchell mentioned they’re now able to be returned to whoever owned them on the encampment.

“Anytime something is seized, it’s eliminated as a result of it was a right away hazard. On this case, that’s what was executed, nevertheless it’s nonetheless their property … It’s simply it wasn’t being utilized in a protected method,” he mentioned.

“We hold it till any person comes ahead to assert it, nevertheless it’s by no means our property.”

To reclaim any of the seized gadgets, Mitchell mentioned homeowners ought to attain out to him to confirm what gadgets belong to them. He mentioned these gadgets will be picked up on the fireplace corridor on Kent Avenue.

Communication missing

For a lot of on the encampment, nonetheless, merely attending to the fireplace corridor presents a barrier as many lack any form of transportation, mentioned Kali Ross, a member of Charlottetown Mutual Help.

“I do fear that some of us received’t go get (these gadgets) again,” mentioned Ross.

“That barrier shouldn’t be there within the first place. There ought to have been some training round storing propane tanks correctly as an alternative of taking them and forcing folks to stroll throughout the town to get them again.”

“Their response, actually, isn’t stunning. It’s disheartening and irritating, nevertheless it’s not stunning. It looks like they’re simply attempting to make it tough for these of us to get their issues again.”

– Kali Ross

There are different points that might hinder of us on the encampment from receiving their gadgets, mentioned Ross, reminiscent of residents not getting access to a automobile or a telephone to name forward to the fireplace corridor, as requested. Ross additionally mentioned there’s a lack of belief from residents that the town will give the gadgets again with out a problem.

One other difficulty is the shortage of communication between the town, unhoused residents and the teams attempting to help them, Ross mentioned, noting CMA had not heard in regards to the gadgets being given again.

“Their response, actually, isn’t stunning. It’s disheartening and irritating, nevertheless it’s not stunning. It looks like they’re simply attempting to make it tough for these of us to get their issues again,” mentioned Ross.

Ross mentioned CMA would look into serving to residents get their gadgets again within the close to future, nonetheless SaltWire Community has confirmed an impartial volunteer has contacted the fireplace division and is working to gather the seized gadgets to return them to the encampment.

Displaying help

Ross mentioned many individuals have stepped up and volunteered to assist the residents of the encampment these days, each by donating and helping neighborhood teams and by involving themselves immediately with residents. Nevertheless, Ross mentioned some residents have turn into annoyed with folks displaying up on the encampment and taking pictures and movies, one thing Ross recommends not doing.

“That may be an invasion of their privateness. That’s somebody’s dwelling, so we should be aware of that.”

One of the best ways for folks to help the folks residing on the encampment, mentioned Ross, is to both donate gadgets and funds to native teams who actively work with unhoused residents, reminiscent of CMA, PEERS Alliance and the Native Council of P.E.I., or by creating public strain by calling and emailing native MLAs and different politicians for higher helps.

Because the gadgets had been seized, Ross mentioned volunteers from CMA have been supplying residents with blankets, sweaters and sizzling meals to maintain them heat and fed in the course of the cool October nights. Ross mentioned whereas there, some residents advised volunteers they weren’t there when the gadgets had been seized.

“I feel many people are looking for methods to prepare dinner and keep heat regardless of having their stuff stolen,” Ross mentioned.

“Persons are resilient, however they shouldn’t must be. Their stuff shouldn’t have been taken in any case.”