Crackdown leaves homeless vulnerable to heat wave: advocates

WINNIPEG — Advocates say the recent police crackdown on open drug use on Winnipeg streets has driven members of the homeless community into the shadows and will put them at risk during the heat wave this week.

“That was a really ugly week and a half in the city’s history. The results have been devastating,” said Kate Sjoberg, executive director of Resource Assistance for Youth, who has been highly critical of the 10-day drug sweep in which more than 100 people were detained for drug use or trafficking.

She said the crackdown has made it harder for some homeless people to receive help because they’ve moved to less visible areas to avoid police.

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for southern Manitoba that warns of intense heat that will last into next week. It’s expected to reach up to 45 C on Sunday, when the humidity is factored in.

Sjoberg said because the city’s approach to homelessness has forced people to move around, organizations must spend more time looking for those who would otherwise be in visible areas.

People who use drugs during the heatwave may also be more at risk due to the high temperatures and the stress of hiding, she said.

“It’s really not a great recipe for overall health,” said Sjoberg, adding that the areas targeted by police included shelters and hydration stations.

On Thursday, the City of Winnipeg released a list of all its hydration stations and invited people to use them during the heat wave.

Sjoberg said it’s unfair of the city to set up supports and then target those locations.

Areas around Ellice Avenue that would typically provide a bit of shade or shelter have become police hot spots, said Ren Armstrong, the housing transition team manager for the West Central Women’s Resource Centre.

“It’s really concerning,” she said.

Armstrong and her team of four are out from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. each day in hot weather to hand out water bottles, ice packs and cold juice to homeless people.

She said her team has reported that more people are staying in lanes and other out-of-the-way spaces, which has made it more difficult to check on people who could be suffering from heatstroke or an overdose.

She said this summer’s extreme weather underscores the need for more support.

“That storm definitely swept through the encampments pretty bad and now there’s this heat wave, so (the weather) hasn’t given people a chance to restabilize,” said Armstrong.

Michael, who declined to give his last name, said he was homeless for two years and has seen people overdose and die faster when using drugs in extreme heat.

He said he’s scared for friends who are hiding out and may not receive help and said the police crackdown has worsened the situation.

“They’re sending them to die alone in a way, because they’re trying to clean the street, but at the same time, they’re hiding … and nobody can save them,” he said.

Jaunie Young, who has been homeless for four years, said she thinks the police crackdown was a positive step that could help people rethink their situation.

“If there’s no bad things happening to them, they’re just going to live like this their whole lives,” said the 28-year-old, who spoke to the Winnipeg Free Press near the hydration station at Princess Street at Henry Avenue.

Young said she hasn’t been afraid to use hydration stations that are in the same area where the sweep took place.

A Winnipeg Police Service spokesperson denied that the force targeted places near supports like hydration stations and shaded areas and said police will have water bottles to give to anyone at risk during the heat.

The spokesperson did not provide further information on the results of the crackdown, nor would they comment on criticisms from city outreach groups.

Mayor Scott Gillingham said while the police have not provided him with the latest information regarding the results of the crackdown operation, he has heard positive feedback from residents and business owners.

He also emphasized the need to be compassionate to those with addictions while not tolerating open drug use.

Gillingham said collaboration between city services and front-line workers is critical, and he confirmed that Police Chief Gene Bowers spoke to outreach organizations following the arrests.

The mayor said while he appreciates the organizations’ work, he disagrees with the joint statement that multiple front-line groups released criticizing the police operation.

“This city cannot and should not tolerate open drug use. We just shouldn’t. Full stop,” he said.

» Winnipeg Free Press