Winnipeg’s police and fire-paramedic services are backing the mayor’s call for outreach workers not to interfere when emergency personnel respond to incidents or concerns at homeless encampments.
Mayor Scott Gillingham recently sent a letter to 16 non-profit organizations, after learning of incidents in which firefighters, paramedics or police officers met resistance or their work was hindered by some outreach organizations’ staff members.
“There have been a number of incidents where police and other emergency services have attended encampment sites for lawful purposes (medical issues and safety concerns or police investigations regarding property or wanted individuals),” a Winnipeg Police Service spokesperson wrote in an email.
“During these lawful encounters, police have experienced some outreach workers with a differing philosophy on how to resolve some of the issues at the encampments.”
NIC ADAM / FREE PRESS FILES
Sixteen local outreach organizations received the letter warning them about interference at homeless encampments in Winnipeg. Police and firefighters now say they support the directive.
The spokesperson said police will continue to work with organizations to address concerns about encampments.
“We are mindful of the city’s encampment strategy and support the roles of these agencies,” the spokesperson wrote.
The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service offered a similar response.
“The (WFPS) is supportive of the mayor’s request for agencies to ensure its members can provide emergency services to encampment residents, and will continue to work collaboratively with service agencies to ensure the safety of encampment residents going forward,” spokesman David Driedger wrote in an email.
Gillingham sent the letter June 26. Media obtained copies of it this week. The mayor did not cite specific situations where emergency personnel were impeded while responding to medical emergencies or crime.
His letter backed the work that outreach agencies do to support homeless people. It said there appeared to be confusion regarding protocols for addressing criminal activity or safety issues in the camps.
After hearing from unnamed “sources,” Gillingham was left with an impression of “ambiguity in some quarters” about whether emergency services should be allowed at encampments, he wrote.
He said the letter was an opportunity to express support for first responders and ensure everyone was on the same page.
The union representing Winnipeg’s firefighters also backed the mayor’s letter.
“We do appreciate the mayor speaking out for first responders,” said United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg president Tom Bilous. “We have a job to do, and we can only do it if we can get to the people we need to provide treatment for. Human life is our No. 1 concern.”
Bilous said firefighters who respond to incidents or calls for help at encampments can face significant barriers or are not always welcomed by the people living there.
Some sites are booby-trapped or obstacles are positioned to prevent access, he noted.
Within camps, there are misplaced fears the firefighters who respond to help are there to remove them, said Bilous.
Members of the WFPS fire prevention branch visit camps to speak to people, identify potential fire hazards and reduce the risk of injury.
The branch’s members have established relationships and trust with encampments, said Bilous.
“It is known their job is human life and safety concerns,” he said, noting there is mutual respect between fire prevention staff and outreach workers.
At least two organizations that received the letter — Main Street Project and End Homelessness Winnipeg — have requested meetings with Gillingham to discuss his concerns.
Gillingham’s spokesman, Colin Fast, said he expects meetings to be arranged.
“As mentioned in the letter, the mayor really appreciates the work of the outreach providers, and the city supports them operationally and financially,” Fast wrote in an email. “This was just intended as a reminder of long-standing city policy to ensure everyone is on the same page.”
He said officials from some of the outreach organizations spoke with Jarred Baker, the mayor’s homelessness adviser, “and generally the feedback was positive.”
Baker is part of a Manitoba delegation that was in Houston Friday to learn more about the Texas city’s homelessness strategy.
Police board chair Coun. Markus Chambers and fellow councillors Ross Eadie and Sherri Rollins told the Free Press they support the mayor and share his concerns.
“The work of our first responders has to be primary,” said Chambers (St. Norbert-Seine River).
“Nothing should be interfering with a lights-and-sirens response,” said Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry).
The councillors acknowledged the work of outreach groups who support people in homeless camps.
Eadie said encampments should not be given a pass.
“(The letter) supports my belief, which is, yeah, I respect that people living rough have rights, but they have responsibilities,” the Mynarski councillor said.
Earlier this month, two non-profits with conflicting philosophies — Main Street Project and St. Boniface Street Links — clashed over how to help people living in a riverside camp at Glengarry Park in Southwood.
“I respect that people living rough have rights, but they have responsibilities.”–Coun. Ross Eadie
Street Links staff offered to help the people find housing, while MSP staff told them they had the right to stay if they wanted, local Coun. Janice Lukes said at the time.
Chambers and Rollins said a co-ordinated approach to homelessness is essential.
“The agencies that are providing services to encampments are doing a great job, but have different philosophies,” said Chambers. “We need to look at how we approach homelessness and just make sure we’re all on the same page in terms of supporting these individuals.”
chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca
Chris Kitching
Reporter
Chris Kitching is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He began his newspaper career in 2001, with stops in Winnipeg, Toronto and London, England, along the way. After returning to Winnipeg, he joined the Free Press in 2021, and now covers a little bit of everything for the newspaper. Read more about Chris.
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