Williams Lake city council will hold a special council meeting on June 3 to continue their discussion on declaring a state of local emergency (SoLE).
The meeting will be held to discuss and determine next steps after Coun. Scott Nelson brought forward a motion proposing the city declare a state of local emergency and curfew in order to address concerns around issues in the downtown.
Ongoing open drug use, crime and homelessness have been creating frustration in the community, and putting increasing demands on bylaw enforcement, RCMP and other local resources.
After a heated council debate and public input at the May 27 regular meeting, council passed a motion to request a report from staff on the possibility of declaring a SoLE, which would give authorities special powers for seven days before the province would have to approve an extension.
Repeated social media posts on vandalism, crime and concerning incidents in the downtown by Nelson have drawn national media attention and landed the issue squarely in the spotlight.
After the May 27 meeting, staff worked to prepare a report analyzing the city's option to declare a SoLE, whether it is necessary, feasible and what the implications of doing so might be for addressing public concerns around threats to public safety.
"Staff acknowledge the considerable complexity of this matter," writes Evan Dean, director of protective services for the city in the report.
Dean lays out the purpose of a SoLE in allowing municipalities the ability to activate emergency powers, mobilize additional resources, and deal with immediate threats to health and safety.
These could potentially enable requisition of resources, allow the temporary suspension of bylaws and regulations, and allow the municipality to impose public orders, exert control over personal property, control any land deemed necessary, authorize warrantless entry, and prohibit unauthorized entry in specific locations.
But Dean notes declaration of a SoLE are intended for acute crises and meant for the short-term stabilization of critical situations.
"Street disorder is commonly considered to be driven by systemic challenges, such as limited mental health support, addiction, and inadequate housing, issues that many communities across the province currently face," states Dean.
The report notes declaring a SoLE may not be enough to address the root causes of the current issues, but potentially could help mobilize additional resources if it gained support at the provincial level.
Dean's report also notes the need for Indigenous engagement, part of the requirements under the Emergency and Disaster Management Act.
Staff reached out to and engaged with other local agencies including the RCMP, BC Emergency Health Services, and Interior Health.
"These agencies have not independently classified the current conditions as warranting an emergency declaration," states the report.
A local surge in calls for service on May 22 reportedly stabilized within 24 to 48 hours, states the report.
"None of the agencies saw significant benefit associated with the city declaring a local state of emergency," writes Dean.
Dean states the local emergency response stakeholders instead recommend "broad, coordinated systemic reforms."
Some of the specific recommendations in the report include creating an RCMP Targeted Enforcement Team to "focus on community safety issues, improve public perception and reestablish trust" and increasing staffing levels at all of the key agencies, increased funding from senior levels of government, and revisions to legislation.
The conclusion of the report states staff believe the city has the authority to declare a SoLE, however emergency service agencies in the community indicate they do not see a benefit in declaring one. But staff stop short of making a clear recommendation whether to declare one or not, despite acknowledging the issues are long-standing and systemic.
"If a SoLE and/or resource request is provincially approved there may be the ability to enhance staffing and service levels (both to the city and external agencies) to address short term needs," states Dean.
While this report was produced under a short timeline, Dean said a more in-depth report will still be forthcoming.
The initial report by Dean, will be brought forward and discussed at the special council meeting at city hall June 3 at 6 p.m. as the council considers declaring a SoLE for the city.
