The Town of Edson has developed its first Community Encampment Response Plan.
Created in collaboration with the Edson RCMP, Edson Fire Department, Edson Protective Services, Wayfinding, Reflections and the Edson Homelessness Task Force, the document guides and describes how different organizations partnered with the town would address encampments in the community while maintaining respect and safety for all parties.
The document notes that two kinds of sleeping arrangements are typically observed in the unhoused community:
- Temporary sleeping arrangement: a last minute set up for sleeping outside, typically for one person, which tends to change locations nightly.
- Encampment: an informal shelter, or shelters grouped together, where multiple individuals reside for multiple nights.
Throughout the plan, “encampment” refers to both of these sleeping arrangements.
The plan takes a circular approach: cycling from support and prevention to enforcement, and back to support and prevention.
Support and prevention actions are expected to be carried out by Wayfinding and Reflections.
Officials say Reflections will receive individuals from the RCMP or bylaw officers and meet emergent needs, such as temporary shelter, cold weather protocol and access to showers, food, clothing, laundry or a phone. Then, they’ll be referred to Wayfinding for case management.
Wayfinding’s response includes:
- Preparation: receiving notice that an encampment has been dismantled; receiving client referrals; and readying crisis supplies.
- Initial reception: meet with individuals post-displacement; conduct welfare checks; and identify missing essentials, such as identification or medication.
- Stabilization: provide basic hygiene necessities; supply emergency equipment for those remaining unsheltered; assist with transportation or relocation; and connect high-risk individuals with supports.
- Housing and system navigation: complete rapid triage; explore shelter, recovery or temporary housing options with the province; reconnect or connect individuals with case management or other services; and make relevant referrals.
- Cultural supports: offer culturally-minded supports for Indigenous individuals and connect with Indigenous partners as is fit for the individual.
- Follow-up: conduct wellness checks on those who relocate to other sites; monitor risks like overdose, exposure to elements and disconnection from services; and track displacement patterns.
- Documentation: log all contacts, supports and urgent needs; record impacts of displacement, such as lost items; and share trends with partner agencies.
Enforcement actions, if an encampment is located, fall to the Edson RCMP, Edson Protective Services and the Edson Fire Department.
The plan notes that enforcement is a necessary but limited tool to address encampments, and should only be used when required for safety or legal compliance. It also says enforcement is a delicate balance: insufficient enforcement can erode public trust, increase calls for service, increase violence and add pressure to various levels of government, while excess enforcement can damage community partnerships and decrease engagement with the at-risk population.
When the RCMP or community peace officers receive a report of an encampment, their first step will be to assess its legality via municipal bylaws, provincial statutes like the Trespass Act and the criminal code. The plan notes that in almost every instance, the reported activity is illegal.
After that, the following steps are taken:
- Risk assessments: determine the safety risk factors of the encampment state and location.
- Advise offending party or parties that they are committing an offence, and request they clean up, collect their belongings and leave. Depending on risk assessments, they may have up to 24 hours to do so.
- Address the severity of the incident through warnings, tickets or arrests, as well as any property damage.
- Aftermath: clients are referred to local resources like Wayfinding and Reflections, while business owners or victims are referred to the Victim Services Unit or other services.
- Clean up: property owners are responsible for cleaning up the property. The police, fire department and municipal government can only assist in a limited capacity.
In most instances, offending parties are cooperative and leave quickly, with no further enforcement action needed, officials note in the plan.
The Edson Fire Department will respond to warming or cooking fires in these situations, noting that these and recreational fires require a fire permit from the department.
When responding to a situation, department members are to approach the scene calmly and maintain respect for the individuals involved. The plan says they will then determine whether the fire is permitted, evaluate potential hazards, assess the need for medical attention and utilize community partners to communicate resources available.
If a fire is not permitted or deemed unsafe, it will be extinguished and information about safer alternatives should be provided. The need for enforcement will also be assessed and referred to the RCMP or community peace officers are required.
Once an encampment is dismantled, the plan dictates that actions shift back to supporting the affected individuals and preventing future incidents.
