Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall, shown here in a May 2024 file photo, declared a state of emergency in the city on Tuesday over the homeless encampments in the city.聽
Under the declaration, the mayor said the city will remove encampments beginning with the ones nearest “critical infrastructure” and public spaces, and gain the ability to hire more staff and contractual services.
Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall, shown here in a May 2024 file photo, declared a state of emergency in the city on Tuesday over the homeless encampments in the city.聽
Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall declared a state of emergency on Tuesday morning in response to the city’s homeless encampments and the ongoing opioid emergency.
Under the declaration, Nuttall said the city will remove encampments beginning with the ones nearest “critical infrastructure” and public spaces, and gain the ability to hire more staff and contractual services.
The city will also request Simcoe county to open more access to additional shelter for those living in the encampments.聽
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
鈥淪ince day one I have been clear that encampments are not acceptable in the City of Barrie. We are here to help those who want help and there are resources available today. If you refuse that help you cannot stay in these encampments. Our city will not allow lawlessness to take over our community,鈥 Nuttall said, flanked by a number of city councillors during a press conference.聽
Earlier this year, two men who lived at a Barrie encampment were killed and dismembered in what police have called an isolated and “not random” incident. A 52-year-old man who lived at the same encampment and was known to police was charged with more than two dozen offences, including first and second-degree murder and two counts of indignity to a dead body.
More to come.聽
Under the declaration, the mayor said the city will remove encampments beginning with the ones nearest “critical infrastructure” and public spaces, and gain the ability to hire more staff and contractual services.
Chris Simon/Metroland file photo
Anastasia Blosser is a breaking news reporter, working out of
the Star鈥檚 radio room in Toronto. Reach her via email: ablosser@thestar.ca
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