Prince George homeless encampment demolished amid large police presence - Action News
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British Columbia

Prince George homeless encampment demolished amid large police presence

Three people were arrested and released for refusing to leave their homes at the Millennium Park encampment in Prince George, B.C.

Uniformed RCMP and bylaw officers looked on as city workers razed the encampment at Millennium Park

Bylaw officers stand facing a partially demolished encampment
Bylaw officers arrived early Sept. 11, 2023, to enforce the eviction of encampment residents at Millennium Park in Prince George, B.C. (Kate Partridge/CBC)

Heavy machinery moved through an encampment in downtown Prince George, B.C., on Monday morning, demolishing everything that remained after the city issued an eviction noticeand then an evacuation order to residents last week.

From tents and tarps toduffel bagsand blankets, everything was picked up by mid-afternoon and thrown in big garbage trucks. Nearly 30 police and bylaw officers looked on as city workers cleared out propane tanks and other hazardous materials ahead of the machines.

The encampment eviction began Mondayat 7 a.m. PT. Advocates say the few people still living there woke up to officers surrounding their homes.

Residents of the encampment were told on Aug. 31 that they had nine days to clear out due to fire risks. Advocates say many did not have enough time to properly pack and fear they have lost irreplaceable belongings.

A man stands facing the camera, with an encampment visible in the background.
Phillip Fredrikkson says he got a call from a resident of the encampment at 7 a.m. saying RCMP and bylaw officers were at their tents telling them to leave or be arrested. (Kate Partridge/CBC)

"I'm really sad," says Phillip Fredrikkson, a volunteer who spent days over the weekend helping the residents pack. He says there was no co-ordination or support from the city, and just a handful of volunteers showed up to assist.

Katt Cadiuex, executive director of Uniting Northern Drug Users (UNDU), operates a wellness trailer at another encampment in the city, Moccasin Flats.

"We were trying to work with [the city] to get the rest of the valuables out ... We only have so much space," Cadieux said.

Two propane tanks in front of debris at an encampment.
The Prince George fire chief issued an evacuation order for the encampment, citing the existence of fire hazards. Advocates say they were not advised on how to dispose of items like propane tanks residents were using to cook and stay warm. (Kate Partridge/CBC)

She says she asked for permission from city staff to retrieve some boxes a resident had packed but not yet picked up. She was told no andwatched from across the street as heavy machinery crushed them.

"Baby pictures, memorials... it was the first stuff [that resident] had packed."

City operation, police presence

RCMP saidthe operationwas overseen by nine officers and several police cruisers blocking off street access, along with many more bylaw officers in bulletproof vests.

"Police are on scene here to maintain the peace while the city conducts their operation," said RCMP Supt. Shaun Wright.

Dirt and heavy machinery on a park site.
By mid-afternoon, the encampment had been razed to the ground, leaving just dirt where densely populated tents once stood. (Kate Partridge/CBC)

Threepeople were arrested for refusing to leave their homes and later released without charges. At least two said they returnedto Millennium Park to find their possessions gone.

CBC News requested an interview with the City of Prince George, but a spokesperson declined.

In a statement, contrary to advocates' claims, the spokesperson said that individuals at the park were given the opportunity to remove personal possessions and any remaining valuablematerial from the encampment has been placed on the sidewalk next to the park.

People face the demolition of an encampment in an outdoor park.
RCMP officers, including Supt. Shaun Wright, watched over the demolition, with bylaw manager Charlotte Peters, left. Wright says the operation was led by the City of Prince George, and RCMP were there to 'keep the peace.' (Kate Partridge/CBC)

Mayor Simon Yu said in the statement that volunteers worked to assist the encampment residents with transporting their possessions and said city staff had done a "very good job" clearing material from the park.

In previous statements, the city said the "situation at Millennium Park [had]deteriorated significantly." The city's fire chief had issued an evacuation order for the area, citing hazardous materials and a threat to safety.

In 2022, the City of Prince George was admonished by B.C. Supreme Court Justice Christopher E. Hinksonfor destroying an encampment protected by the courts. The city later apologized for the move and the "trauma" it caused.

The city says Millennium Park will remain closed to the public until further notice.

"The long-term impacts are going to be tents set up in random places ... they're moving into more rural areas. The encampment over by Moccasin Flats is being densified,"Fredrikkson said.

A sign posted on fencing informing people about trespass laws.
Fencing was expanded to surround the encampment site to prevent people from returning. Millennium Park is next to the offices of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George. (Kate Partridge/CBC)

Corrections

  • A previous version of this story said dozens of RCMP officers were at the scene of the encampment removal. In fact, dozens of both RCMP and bylaw officers were at the scene. RCMP said nine officers were at the scene for the city-led operation.
    Sep 13, 2023 8:53 AM PT