Concerns around Calgary safe consumption site being addressed
Posted Feb 13, 2019 5:06 pm.
Last Updated Feb 13, 2019 5:50 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Questions around the Sheldon Chumir’s safe consumption site were raised at a committee meeting at Calgary City Hall on Wednesday.
It was spear-headed by Beltline councillor Evan Woolley who was concerned about a recent spike in crime.
The meeting drew out law enforcement, local residents, and even previous Methamphetamine users as they discussed ideas to implement around the site.
READ MORE: Union calls for more officers to monitor Calgary’s safe consumption site
Jessica McEachern is a former user turned peer-support worker, she worries this could stigmatize clients.
“They feel like (…) they’re going to get arrested, they feel like everything is coming down on them, everybody’s in on it and they’re just terrified and scared,” she said.
Woolley says the matter is now being forwarded to the council meeting on February 25 where they will discuss how to address the crisis.
“There have been a number of other actions identified in the last week and this needs to come to council as soon as possible,” he said.
Corporate Security also introduced a plan to conduct Olympic Plaza style security at Central Memorial Park complete with cameras, patrols, and new lighting.
