RCMP and bylaw officers were present for the takedown, and removal of residents from an encampment located in Fort St John.
The downtown tent city, located across the street from the Salvation Army’s Northern Centre of Hope on 99 Avenue, was taken down by the city’s bylaw officers with police on site to ensure the safety of city officials, residents of the encampment, and the public.
Police have cleared up misinformation circulating on social media.
“No, officers did not remove the residents, the city (bylaw I believe) did. Yes, officers attended in a keep the peace capacity, for the safety of all involved,” said RCMP Cst. Chad Neustaeter, whose original message included the brackets.
Dwellers who were removed from the tent city could apply to B.C. Housing, which is operating with a vacancy rate of nearly 15 per cent, according to Fort St John city councillor Trevor Bolin during council’s July 28 regular meeting.
In its 2023 count, the provincial organization identified 102 people as experiencing homelessness in Fort St John – this number has steadily increased from 61 people in 2018.
