VIDEO: B.C. residents voice frustrations over homeless site's potential move

Neighbours in Kelowna's Knox Mountain gathered Tuesday evening (Nov. 26) to share their frustrations over the city’s decision to move a tent city to their neighbourhood.

Within hours of finding out homeless residents from Leon Avenue would be relocated to her neighbourhood and Recreation Avenue, Dena Barabash had asked her neighbours to make a stand.

Between 30 and 40 residents, including families, children and pets, turned up for the informal neighbourhood meeting at the park. 

Tess Rose, who lives across the street from the park, found out via a letter in her mailbox at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Others found out later in the day, and some not at all. 

Rose says the lack of warning from the city was the most frustrating aspect of the situation – and the potential for crime to increase the most worrying. 

“It really came as a shock, totally surprised me. I walk my dog around the neighbourhood at night, and I don’t think I’m going to feel comfortable doing that anymore.

“Just the fact that we were given no heads up disappoints me. I’m really disappointed in city council, whoever made the decisions. In the letter, it did state they would be increasing RCMP and bylaw patrols in the surrounding neighbourhood. My big question is how many people are going to be doing that, at what times, how far… are we actually going to see that presence, and will it help make it safe?"

Jodi says the first thing she thought of when she opened the letter was the safety of her daughter and other children who use school bus stops near the site. 

"In the summertime, this is where everyone comes to have fun and hikes and bikes and swims and launches their boats. Now, we have to be far more on our guard, not only just walking but even our valuables – I don’t feel like I’ve buttoned up my house tight enough. I feel like I have to put everything away from my backyard and lock it up. There's just all these things we weren’t even given time to think about.”

"Everyone is freezing,” said Cara and her roommates.

"I’m sure the city could find a warmer location for these people to go than out here on the lake, where the winds are probably the strongest in the whole city. It’s just very sad,” added Shane. 

As of late Tuesday afternoon, no campers were in the park, having opted instead for the Recreation Avenue site beside the Kelowna Curling Club.

- Laura Brookes, Castanet