Drug, homeless issues affecting downtown businesses
By Lethbridge Herald on July 14, 2023.
Two individuals are seen behind a business downtown. Businesses say they are getting frustrated with the costs of dealing with the negative behaviours of some of those living on the downtown streets.
Herald photo by Al BeeberSteffanie Costigan – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
John Talerico, a partner in Talerico Financial Group, is one of the many business people in downtown Lethbridge experiencing biohazards and vandalism on a daily basis.
“This is all at our cost to deal with something that is not our issue. Our parking lot in the back is continually filled with needles. And because it’s a perfect spot for them to linger,” said Talerico.
Talerico talked about the challenge of not being able to open the business when he met with individuals blocking the entrance and clients unable to enter it.
Neighbouring business owner Charissa Morgan of Jaded Body Art said she feels this is an issue the city should be handling, and businesses don’t have the resources to overcome this issue.
“I think it’s a City issue, for sure. There’s only so much we can do. We don’t have the resources to really deal with that outside staff,” said Morgan.
Barry Ewing, a downtown resident, said the city has lost control of the downtown core.
“We have lost control of our streets and downtown. It is a free-for-all because they know they won’t be charged so they do what they want and laugh at us when we try to move them along, knowing police will take hours to respond and they will be long gone,“ said Ewing.
General Manager of Community Social Development for the City of Lethbridge, Andrew Malcolm, in an email said he acknowledges the City may not have a current reimbursement program for businesses experiencing vandalism, but there are many programs to help aid with issues.
“While the City does not have a specific program to reimburse businesses with damages caused by individuals experiencing homelessness or others, we do have a number of programs in place to try and support businesses in dealing with the negative effects of social disorder in our community.”
The City recommends businesses utilize the Clean Sweep Program, Diversion Outreach Team, Biohazard and Needle Debris Program, Business Improvement Loan, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), and available grant programs. A local woman experiencing homelessness, who wants to be known only as Sarah, voiced concerns homeless individuals face with spaces being taken from them.
“Instead of using their time and money to give us a safe space, they spent more time and money in taking away places from us,” said Sarah.
The City said it continues efforts to support the homeless through the allocation of federal, provincial, and municipal grant dollars alongside programs.
Morgan said she wished the vandalism did not occur so frequently.
“It’s just unfortunate that things keep happening so often. It’d be nice to be able to figure out a way to not have these things happen as often and frequently.”
Alberta statistics show in 2021, 95.1 per cent of businesses in Lethbridge were small businesses – the percentage here increased 0.50 per cent year-over-year and has increased 0.71 per cent in the last five years.
Talerico said businesses pay taxes and hope for more proactive support from the city with the challenges of vandalism and biohazards.
“As a taxpaying company, we would like to see a more pro-active way to make sure that businesses aren’t the ones facing the costs because I’m sure we have some clients that are reluctant to come to our doorstep, and when you’re in a people business,you rely on clients coming to your office.”
The City of Lethbridge is focusing its efforts on addressing the gaps in housing by supporting three applications to the Federal Rapid Housing Program with over $3 million conditionally committed from the City’s Affordable and Social Housing Capital Grant.
Malcolm said the City is recommending businesses use some of the programs and explore others, such as the CPTED.
He recommends that “businesses continue to use the support programs that are in place, explore principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) which often presents small improvements to reduce risk of property damage, and become a voice of advocacy for additional housing and support resources and services in our community either individually or through entities.”
Ewing shared his perspective of what he believes is the solution and the resources needed.
“I believe that we need to enforce existing laws on vagrancy, loitering, sleeping on streets, graffiti, littering, public urination/defecation, threats, and open drug use and push the federal government for changes in our judicial and penal systems. LPS must act on these now, and more patrols are required on weekends, especially long weekends and overnight where most of the damage, crimes, and other issues occur. We need more police, bringing up our LPS staffing to normal standards equal to other cities per capita, the national average.”
Sarah shared the hardship of not being able to have a meal for two days and then eating the food at the soup kitchen and the intestinal challenges, which results in needing a bathroom and being unable to find a willing place to let them relieve themselves as there are times when the shelter is in a changeover.
She expressed how she wishes there were more places individuals experiencing homelessness could be where they felt accepted.
“We get kicked out of everywhere … I wish there was a place that didn’t force us into the public eye view, where people were accepting. They took away places that we would be OK to be safe, and I guess, um, they’ve cut down bushes, they’ve cut down cement.”
The City’s number of investments in Provincial Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) grant funding (which just got a 4.5 per cent increase in the Provincial Budget) supports the prevention of homelessness and addiction/mental health. As well as investments of Federal Reaching Home grant dollars to resources that, at their core, focus on better understanding the needs of the population experiencing homelessness and services that aid individuals in connecting through an Integrated Coordinated Access system (ICA).
Sarah emphasized homeless individuals are not all “junkies” and they deserve empathy not harsh judgments. She voiced if there is more patience and understanding, more lives could be easily saved.
“If you just have a little bit of patience, you know, it would really be extremely rewarding, and you might save that person’s life.”
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This just in…. downtown business being hurt by druggies, homeless. Why haven’t we heard this news before???
Ref: https://lethbridgeherald.com/commentary/letters-to-the-editor/2023/07/01/people-still-dying-despite-efforts-to-address-addictions-problems/
I have stated from the onset that we have failed people like Sarah! We allow politicians, dogooders, nonprofits, churches, and the highly educated eyerollers of this city to wrap everyone in the same package, and that package is “HOMELESS”!
So to all of those described above, describe Sarah the same way as the thieving, mugging, property destroying, addicted person whom got kicked out of their home , its a great approach for fund raising, but little else.
Until this city grows a set, and creates the 3 groups that compose homeless and stops calling everyone vunerable. Or, recognizes that if they wish to use the term Vunerable, they better include Downtown Residents, businesses and Employees, we will continue to screw this up. It is that easy, either grow up, grow a set, or we all put up with your repetitive stupidity.
There is an answer, but I have no support because it interferes with the mega money making machine that lives off the less fortunate. It is also why you will not see me quoted in any articles like this because I call a spade, a spade, while others prefer to call it a shovel! Barry Ewing has far more tact then I, he is a good rep for those that believe we are going down the wrong path. I am a product of refusing to take pain killers and become one of the addicted again, so I live with a lot of pain, pain that removes all “tact” !
Barry’s approach relies on the rule of law. I believe that is a failure waiting to happen because Police don’t like to be bullied for doing their jobs, judicial system does not want to appear to be coming down to hard on the “most vunerable”, politicians do not want to be seen as heartless, and the nonprofits push that agenda at every opportunity so they can perpetuate the loop we never get out of.
So you have one opportunity. Create a ticket, that a person must earn to join society. That ticket is not handed to an addict until he/she earns that ticket. The homeless get an automatic ticket and are housed. The mentally challenged are given help and a place like, fresh start. But if you believe you are entitled to free everything, and then destroy the society giving you the “free everything”, then you live outside that city and that society until you earn that ticket, or earn prison time, where society will compel rehab! Choose rehab and succeed and you get the ticket to society! How do you achieve this type of program? Its easier than you think, simply refuse to destroy your own city, demand those in power standup for your society, your business owners, your business employees , your downtown residents and the fabric of OUR society! (I have yet to see ANYONE in this city standup for Business, Employees, and Residents and that includes all the Socially Acceptable Business and Residential Groups.) I am a big boy if you have stood up “together” then please publish your stand, I am sure the Herald would print your amazing attacks thus far in your pursuit of saving businesses, employees and residents! By the way, discounts on better locks, fences, steel windows and doors, subsidies for damage is not defence, its a acknowledgement of failure!
As a result, you can watch more money spent on border line useless newly defined ways of trying to stop the unstoppable. Politicians will nod understandedly and call for more programs using terms like “safe and sound”, but they are at best flippant and patronizing, resulting in the same thing. This is not to say they are not trying to think outside the same box, thats the problem, its the SAME BOX! ALL others before them have all thought they could control this, but they cannot, it all results in ” More lipstick on the SAME pig!”
Police run around like a chicken with their head cut off trying to keep up, politicians make excuses, nonprofits and the eyerollers bleed sympathy and new programs where they again can make more money.
I still think I have the best idea for Lethbridge which is just as realistic and viable as the eyerollers ideas! Mine? a cold weather monkey because
“Monkey’s not only save lives but also save Livelihoods!” something the eyerollers do not give a wit about!
So Very well said Dennis! It won’t be until the DT business and residents of Lethbridge make some NOISE will ‘they’ be forced to make a different choice than the one they’re on. Seems people have very short memories of our SCS days. It’s Not just an SCS that brings people, it’s ALL of it. Council keeps harping on, no, “there’s no SCS”… the whole city is an SCS and besides we have an SCS at the Shelter so what are you talking about? It’s a Very old way/thinking that housing is the solution for addiction. Really, how come then after Edmonton spending $9 Billion dollars on housing, that they are now in even more trouble. Build and they shall come does not work. 72% of addicts die in ISOLATION behind a closed door. If they carry through with housing every ‘homeless’ person under the same umbrella, it will create even more chaos. Guess we will be housing addicts then. 90% of our ‘homeless’ according to the latest PIT count, are addicts. We will Never be able to keep up from the demand from those who arrive from Miles and miles around. Has anyone seen a property that housed them before? Plumbing ripped out for whatever reason?, axes taken to doors, major locks where the landlord can’t even enter the premise for examples (never mind the Needles, chop shop, prostitution, drugs and cooking of them, fires). People have actually lost their homes due to housing substance users. http://www.lethccc.com is the only answer where they will not be isolated! House many together under supervision and guidance to hopefully someday try getting sober. Peer support! I’ve spoken to many users and they love the idea of being out of town, away from the crap in the city and be with nature. Nature is a very spiritual healer. So, Steffanie Costigan, please keep digging under the ‘surface’ of what City Admin and non-profits present, as it is only how they want you to see the problem. Housing is not a solution. Downtown SPEAK UP – we’ll Join you! Wait until hundreds of addicts are being homed Permanently right beside the shelter. You think you have problems now, you ain’t seen anything yet! Or, I guess you could call Biohazard pick up… how’s that working for you? Talk to Dennis Bremner… he’s got the goods and the Best Idea http://www.lethccc.com.
I agree with some your comments Blade of Grass, but some clarification: The trailer at the shelter is not classified an SCS, but and OPS, which is smaller and mobile. It is not the large complex that destroyed so many businesses in the area and see much less clientele.
This concept by Dennis B that you promote may have been a good idea but I think we are now past that. Edmonton tried to push the addicts out to the Westaskiwin are with camps there and it failed miserably.
After viewing this site you suggested, I cannot see this helping now. The addiction is the cause of all of the issues and the focus must be placed on getting these people treated.
Some more clarification: As the newspaper stated, 2 city staff used the term “mobile SCS” at the recent council meeting. If you view the video of this council meeting, you will hear this. If it is technically called an overdose prevention site (ops), it is still quite permanent even though it is on wheels. Whether it is large or small, the whole area around it and the shelter is becoming more and more of a complex. The clientele that went in to the old SCS to get party packs and then run across the street to meet their dealer , would then shoot up in the parking lot. I and others witnessed this many times. I have no doubt this mobile SCS doesnot see many more than the other SCS did. As many are shooting up within blocks of where they meet their dealer. Large or small it is just as capable of destroying businesses and residential property values. Not to mention that some landowners are having trouble getting property insurance due to high number of break ins etc. At a rezoning hearing from about 3 years ago, a man submitted a letter from his insurance company to that effect. It was in the agenda to the meeting.
Why should we be past Dennis B’s idea? That is shared by a number of Blood Tribe Council members. The city is still trying to spend millions by buying up the properties near the shelter. They have been trying for more than a few years to do this. Eventually they will offer these business owners enough of our money to do it. Why not consider buying land by off reserve land that the Blood Tribe Council owns and join forces in separating the addicts from their dealers .
Where is your source about the outcome near Westaskwin, please?
Part of the treatment and getting more people to stick with it ,is removing them from the drug dealers on every street corner.
No disrespect but you do sound like someone quite insulated physically from the crime, gangs, violence, drug dealers etc. associated with drug addiction issues.
“The Idea”, is not a push to get addicts out of town. It is a reward and penalty system. It offers a bunk and locker that belongs to the individual, it is his/hers until they rehab or die.
So they would never fear again freezing to death. It would be their home. There would be a bus service running from Lethbridge to the facility then on to Standoff. Then the bus would return the same way.
No addict would be able to get on the bus intoxicated when leaving the facility. Police would enforce the rule of law on vagrancy and loitering etc and if found intoxicated would be loaded on the bus.
The reason that Edmonton failed is because their was no plan other than “get them out of here”!
Lastly, there is a misconception that I had the support of Blood Council. I did not. Blood Council would not even answer my emails.
I have support of 14 Elders that do not support Council and Chief and do not support there approach which they believe encourages the exit of their people to Lethbridge.
Thank you for making that clear once again. Lethbridge residents need to know that the Blood Tribe Council seems to be totally abandoning their vulnerable people to the drug infested streets of Lethbridge. Why do all the do gooders in their cozy Sunset Acres like mostly white ,mostly wealthy neighborhoods have nothing to say about that?
Dennis many are not aware that part of the ‘harm reduction’ policies mean less policing . . . where has that gotten us? The addicts who lost their homes who are now on the streets have to commit crimes to support their addiction. My ideas are not just about enforcing laws, but effective treatment programs using drug courts when possible and the upcoming Compassionate Intervention Act.
Drug courts are now in place and growing, which allow addicts to successfully complete treatment, which will then leave them with no criminal record.
States and cities across North America are all realizing that we must return to what kept the issues more manageable by increased law enforcement, working with drug courts and treating addicts.
There are enough programs in place now for housing and social assistance, that if someone who is not an addict and follows the basic rules we all have to follow when living in accommodations, then there should be no people homeless.
The issues when you house those who are still using drugs are complicated due to the damage to the property that often costs the owner thousands of dollars, as well as the addict fatally overdosing by themselves.
The SRO’s and not a good idea unless it is for those you have gone through treatment.
I know my ideas work because I have tracked it working in one area of the US, and it will work here . . . BUT, the PM needs to stop putting in place programs that enable addicts and put money into the provincial coffers for effective treatment programs.
The Feds pumped billions into programs annually which fail in saving lives because give them everything they need to do drugs and the drugs in some cases ( in BC ), and little into treatment. We need changes in the judicial and penal systems, taking a hard stance on the dealers!
I would add that the people living rough on the streets, are out all night committing crimes, whether it is prostitution, dealing drugs, breaking and entering, damaging property, causing fires, and more and this is their area of operations, so they will not go for treatment or to a camp outside of Lethbridge, but will remain where they can operate freely committing crimes! Laws need to be enforced in this case and they are the same ones creating all the issues in the downtown business and residential community!
How many are aware of just how many times the Melcor Center has been broke into overnight, the lastest just a couple of days ago? There is a massive amount of crime which happens in this city that no one ever hears about!
I stand by my comment to the Herald!
You need only read through the list of departments and agencies listed by Malcom , most tax payer funded and staffed by thier own mass of bureaucrats spending hours seeking more grants, to see the extent of the “business” homelessness has become in this City. Addicts blocking your door- dont call the Police to clear out the law breakers…call another agency which might get back to you in a day or so…and if they dont – call the City again and be told you are not a proiority but thanks for paying your business taxes on time – too bad are going up again to combat homelessness.
The downtown core is all but lost as it stands now. The city is putting high cost bandaids on a stinking wound as they lack the guts to face the issue of derelicts, drug addicts, criminals, vagrants and the parasites who feed off them and it will only make the wasteland prettier, not more useable. You can hang an airfreshener in an outhouse, but it is still an outhouse.
I agree with most of what you say . . . I calculated the best I could just how much the local taxpayers pay out annually to this ‘crisis’ and it’s impacts, and I didn’t include provincial or federal tax dollars that are poured in on the issue and it is over $14 million.
I tried to get a more accurate figure but the City FOIP deparment wanted to charge me $1300 for the information and stated it would not include all the costs I requested, because much of it is not tracked!
I would guess at least 60% of Fire and EMS calls are to the issues on our streets, so about 300 people we will say are using 60% of the Fire/EMS services, fires, overdoses, suspected overdoses, injuries/sores, mental health issues and more. If they say we have 452 homeless ( which was inflated, because they included those in jail, in treatment and in hospital ) and all are not creating the issues, lets say 300 are . . . A city of over 100,000 people use 40% of the services while 300 people use 60% . . . whether it is 200, 300, or 500, it is unacceptable. I am not including the amount of police manpower is put into this issues!
$14 million of your local taxes went into the issues! I will say that I see a lot of positive things happening now that we could see some changes if they are implemented.
I think the city is moving in the right direction and if the province comes through on it’s campaign promises, we will see some positive changes. For now, a message must be sent that we will not put up with this type of behaviour anymore on our streets, parks and neighbourhoods and until we have more police on to bring up the ranks to the national average, a plan must be in place so people do not wait 4-6 hours for police response and more policing overnight and holiday weekends when many of the crimes are committed because they don’t see police around.
They aren’t stupid and they know when police are not around and they know how long it takes for police to arrive, so they laugh when someone says, ” I am calling police ” . . . they know and they know if they threaten you, police will do nothing, because the courts will either kick it out or give a slap on the wrist to the offender!