Timmins woman who lives next to encampment says fence won’t solve problems

Timmins resident Chastity Duguay, who first raised safety fears a year ago, says little has changed behind the Living Space shelter.

A Timmins resident is calling on the city to do more to address ongoing issues surrounding the encampment behind the Living Space Emergency Shelter.

Chastity Duguay said this week that a privacy fence expected by the end of July isn’t enough to address the broader problems.

Last September, Duguay told CTV News that she feared for her safety because of the encampment behind her home.

Nearly a year later, she said little has changed. She’s calling on the city for stronger enforcement measures, better coordination between agencies and regular updates for neighbours who live next to the encampment.

Mayor Michelle Boileau acknowledged resident concerns, but said the city has limitations when it comes to the encampment itself.

“There are human rights limitations (when it comes) to the actual encampment itself,” Boileau said.

“You know, that’s not to say that we could just we should just be allowing a free-for-all back there. There is criminal activity that is taking place in the area, not just reserved to the encampment, of course. And so this is also an enforcement issue … community safety is a shared responsibility."

Last March, city council approved a privacy fence along the city-owned laneway beside the shelter. But Duguay said a fence doesn’t address the bigger concerns.

“While the proposal to install a fence may address one specific aspect of the situation, it does not resolve the broader issues that continue to impact surrounding residents and businesses,” she said.

“Without regular enforcement and accountability, these problems are simply displaced rather than resolved.”

Boileau said the fence is expected to be installed by the end of July.

“We know that the fence isn’t going to be the be-all and end-all solution,” the mayor said.

“This really is just a measure to be able to provide a bit of reprieve for the residents that are living adjacent to the laneway where we’re seeing the encampment.”

Boileau says municipal bylaw officers continue to visit the area multiple times a week, adding that weekly cleanups are continuing and the city is working with police to address safety concerns.