Meagher Park, also known as People's Park. (SOURCE: Calista Hill with Halifax Mutual Aid)
Police intervention at a Halifax Park where people have been sleeping rough is looming.
Margaret MacDonald, the Executive Director of Parks and Recreation for the city, has sent a letter to Halifax Regional Police Chief Dan Kinsella.
Macdonald is making an official request for police to help clear out Meagher Park, also known as “People’s Park,” on Chebucto Road. The site has been home to tents and emergency crisis shelters since last August when the city evicted the homeless from public spaces like the old public library on Spring Garden Road.
The city handed the Meagher Park residents notice last month alerting them that they had to move out by July 17th.
“Since then, staff, directly and through partners, have made repeated efforts to encourage those sheltering in the park to vacate the site and accept alternative options, including the support and services provided at the designated outdoor sheltering locations,” MacDonald’s letter states.
Halifax Regional Council held a special meeting Tuesday with only one agenda item: homelessness. Council heard approximately five people are still living at the park.
Special Projects Manager Max Chauvin laid out the situation in the west-end park in a presentation. He said neighbours have “listened to people being beaten.” There are also concerns for the health of those living there, including a rat infestation, stray needles, and human feces.
MacDonald’s letter states she no longer believes the park can be vacated without police aid.
“Between now, and when you enforce, we will continue to work to ensure supports are provided to those sheltering in the park,” the letter says. “We will also be available to coordinate with you so that, when you enforce, supports are available to those experiencing homelessness including supports such as transportation to a designated site or other accommodation, and connection to service providers.”
MacDonald says the city will also let the police know if there are any vacancies at the designated outdoor sites or any housing options available.
The four spaces in the city that have been designated to allow camping for a total of 32 people who are without homes include the following:
A map of the four designated sheltering sites. (SOURCE: Halifax Regional Municipality)
- Barrington Street green space between Cornwallis Street and North Street in Halifax;
- Lower Flinn Park in Halifax;
- Green Road Park in Dartmouth; and
- Geary Street green space in Dartmouth.
Meantime, Halifax Police have issued a release urging people to leave peacefully. Police say there are health and safety concerns with people staying there amid many complaints and calls for service.
“Within the last 24 hours, service calls to Meagher have included an incident where police assistance was requested by Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency,” the news release says. “Firefighters were attempting to extinguish an illegal fire causing hazardous conditions – close to many inflammable objects in a residential neighbourhood during an active fire ban – while the park occupants obstructed those efforts.”
Police warn they’re obligated to act in the interest of public safety.
Councillor Becky Kent told council things will get ugly if the police get involved.
“If we move into – which I believe we have to – resolving this situation at this particular park with police engagement, it’s not going to be pretty,” Kent said.
**With files from Anastasia Payne.**
