Homeless encampments overwhelm Calgary's PAL response team

Homeless encampments like the one raided by a group of fed-up Inglewood residents to take back allegedly stolen property are becoming more common in the city, overwhelming capacity to respond, Calgary council heard Monday.

The city's 311 service has already received 800 complaints about illegal encampments this year, up from 500 in 2014, according toStuartDalgleish, Calgary's general manager of community services.

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Calgary's Partner Agency Liaison (PAL) Teamhas been "relatively effective" inits mandate to "address issues surrounding illegal encampments,"Dalgleish told council.

PAL, created in 2010, isapartnershipbetween bylaw officers, other city departments and external social agencies.

"However,we've seen an increased presence of encampments along the river in the downtown core during 2015 and that's created additional demands on that team," hesaid.

'Social disorder and criminal activity'

Dalgleish'scomments came in response to a question from Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra, who raisedconcerns about the growth in illegal encampments and apparentincreases in crime,particularly in core-areacommunitieslocated near riverbanks like Inglewood.

"Much of this crime, rightly or wrongly, has been associated with encampments that we have seen along the river over the last six months," Carra said.

"These encampments have always been there especially during warm years, late into the fall but they've become increasingly sources of social disorder and criminal activity."

Last month, a group of Inglewood residents banded together in response to a spree of property thefts and ventured into a nearby encampment with a pair of bolt cutters to retrieve a Chariotbaby carrier they allege was taken from a woman's home.

• Inglewood residents raid homeless camp to steal back allegedly stolen goods

Carrahas sinceadvised residents against taking matters into their own hands and inquired Monday about what more the city can do about these "complex social issues."

Dalgleish said thecity is now looking at bolstering the PAL team, perhaps by creatinga "dedicated city response team" to deal with encampments.

Cleanup costs $5,000 per camp

The city may also ask the Calgary Police Serviceto expand itsinvolvementin addressing the issue, headded.

"We continue to explore solutions and we plan to look for some better answers," Dalgleishtold council, adding city staffshould have a more specific plan by early 2016.

It costs about $5,000 to clean up an encampment, Dalgleish noted.