Benches removed from Yellowknife post office corner

The City of Yellowknife has removed benches from in front of the post office after complaints from an employee and customers about harassment.

The benches werejust a few steps from Yellowknife's main intersection anda gathering spot for people from all walks of life, including many of the city's homeless.

DennisKefalas, the city's senior administrative officer, says workers from the City of Yellowknife removed the benchesat the request of the building's owner.

Kefalassaid there were "complaints from the property owner, and patrons, people who use the facility and work there regarding not feeling safe because since the day shelter shut down there's a lot of people who use the day shelter who are gathering in front of the post office and verbally accosting the people who use the facility and work in the facility."

DenendehInvestments owns the property.Kefalas says theyasked for both the benches and planters to be removed. He says the companyplans to look for a device to discourage people from sitting on the planters.

Kefalas says there are benches throughout the downtown and in parks andpeople will have a place to sit, but it will likely be smaller groups in different areas.

Former city councillor LydiaBardaksays the last time the city debated removing the benches, she argued there was no pointbecause people would still find a place to sit.

"If we want this to be a liveable city, we want people to be able to gather, to visit, to socialize, to get some fresh air," she said.

Louise Beaulieu of Dettah, who says she often took a seat on the benches, says she'll still sit there, benches or not.

If they take this thing out, Im going to bring my cushion and sit down here. Im not going to give up.