Safety for all: remove the tent city on Fifth Avenue and provide alternative housing

To: Mayor Lyn Hall and Council members of the City of Prince George; Northern Health; BC Housing; Shirley Bond, MLA for Prince George-Valemount; Mike Morris, MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie; and Todd Doherty, MP for Cariboo-Prince George  

Over the past few months, a tent city has been allowed to grow at the end of Fifth Avenue, behind the Citizen’s office, in Prince George. This has led to an escalation in property crime, public drug use, public disturbances, gun shots, and illegal fires and fireworks in the nearby communities. There have also been incidents of people being followed, chased, pushed off the road, and sexually harassed by residents of the tent city. The tent city is also near a school and a popular walking trail. As residents of this community, we no longer feel safe living or working in this neighbourhood.  

While our aim is the dismantling of this unlawful encampment, this is not a campaign against homelessness. By signing this petition, you are helping the unhoused AND your community. We need long term solutions that address underlying issues of mental health, addiction, income inequality, and systemic oppression. Everyone has the right to feel safe, whether housed or unhoused. Let’s work together to make the community a safer place to live, work, and play.  

We the undersigned, strongly urge Mayor and Council to immediately dismantle the tent city in the Lower Patricia Boulevard and Fifth Avenue area, and work with all levels of Government to provide alternative housing and support for mental health and addiction.            

Millar Addition/ Connaught Concerned Citizens Committee    Contact the author of the petition