The Chatham-Kent Police Service continues to receive calls into the Emergency Communications Centre (9-1-1) from members of the public who are raising concerns about the location of sheltered individuals on the Public Utilities Commission property on Grand Avenue East in Chatham.
The Chatham-Kent Police Service is aware of the presence of the unhoused individuals choosing to shelter at the PUC property, which is Municipally owned and is within the guidelines of the Municipality’s Encampment Protocol. Unhoused individuals are permitted to shelter at this property under the existing guidelines.
We remind the public that calling 9-1-1 is for emergencies only. If you have questions or concerns with the location of an unhoused person sheltering in a location you believe violates the Encampment Protocol, we ask that you call 311 or our non-emergency number at 519-436-6600.
The Municipal Encampment Protocol, established by Council on November 4 of 2024, contains rules to ensure that unhoused persons who shelter themselves on public lands do so in a way that tries to reduce impacts on other community members. Municipal staff have engaged with local outreach programs such as R.O.C.K. Missions to ensure that unhoused persons locate themselves in areas that fall within the Encampment Protocol.
Within the Protocol, there are several restrictions in place as to where unhoused persons can shelter, which include being:
- On or within 100 metres from municipal playgrounds, water parks, splashpads, beaches, or sports fields
- On or within 100 metres from any elementary schools, childcare facility, assisted living facility, or other health or social service facility providing support or care services to youth or vulnerable populations including shelters
- Within 10 metres of any private property line
- On or under bridges
- On or within 5 metres of sidewalks or pedestrian paths.
- On or within 25 metres of any cemetery
- On or within 5 metres of an off-leash dog area
- On or within 5 metres of any community garden
- Structures must be freestanding and able to be moved as necessary
- In any actively used parking lot
- In or on any public-use building or structure
- In areas that block the free movement of another person on a street, public pathway, sidewalk, or other path of public travel
- On municipal land where individuals have a private easement or ownership interest, or where the Municipality owes a duty to maintain the land to the benefit or partial benefit of private individuals (i.e. beach access)
- On municipal lands in areas obstructing construction or maintenance activities
For more details, please refer to the full protocol here:
https://pub-chatham-kent.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=16611
Please note that the Municipality has services available to those experiencing homelessness through Victoria Park Place, the Transitional Cabins Project (which is slated to open in August of this year), and the Homeless Response Line.
R.O.C.K. Missions is assisting in this matter, and residents are encouraged to contact their office at 519-351-1450 for assistance with transitioning.
The Chatham-Kent Police Service continues to work alongside community partners to ensure public safety while respecting the rights of all individuals. We thank the members of the community for their understanding and cooperation.