Another downtown resident has written to the District of Squamish, calling upon the district to take urgent action over what the residents describe as a worsening situation at an encampment near Bailey Street.
Jesse Clark, a strata council member for the Falls townhouse complex in Downtown Squamish, wrote the letter. In the letter, Clark says the encampment has grown in recent months and is now causing serious concerns for families living nearby.
“The encampment is expanding; there is screaming and multiple large fires nightly. The smoke funnels into the strata and the units. At least three families, including my own, are concerned that their small children are developing respiratory issues from the constant smoke from the encampment fires that persist through the night,” Clark wrote.
The letter also describes other issues, including the discovery of dirty needles, encounters with individuals described as “unruly and possibly dangerous,” reports of car vandalism, and fears of a potential forest fire.
“This issue seems to be overlooked by both the city and the landowner,” Clark wrote. “The RCMP has informed strata members that their options are limited due to insufficient support from the city and the landowner. We are petitioning for action to address this growing encampment and the safety concerns and disturbances it causes.”
The District of Squamish has received a string of letters from the community urging action on the encampment on Bailey Street. In February, a Squamish resident wrote to the district, urging them to address safety concerns associated with encampments on privately owned land near the Eaglewind and Parkhouse communities.
In the letter, Henry outlined several incidents involving people living in encampments on the property. He emphasized concern about one individual who may be experiencing severe mental health issues and possibly substance use. Recently, concerned residents and representatives of two neighbouring strata councils, Aqua and Soleil, on Main Street also wrote to the mayor and council regarding this issue.
David J Lassmann says
I recently called the DOS about the garbage dump at the Bailey St. – Downtown Dyke area. I was told the property was crown land or BCR land and the DOS has no jurisdiction. I also reported the dump site to the Govt. of BC but I am not optimistic that anything will be done to clean up the site. The DOS should pass a bylaw forcing owners to keep their property to acceptable standards. Actually, there may already be such a bylaw, maybe the DOS should have their lawyers check it out.