The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) assisted with the closure of two homeless encampments Thursday in downtown Edmonton..Tattered tarps, dilapidated tents, and trash blew aimlessly in the wind as vulnerable people could be heard screaming as they packed up their belongings. Word quickly spread in the tent city the law was coming to remove them.. "I can confirm the EPS assisted with the closure of two encampments, one in the area of 99 Street and 106 Avenue and one in the area of 105 Avenue and 96 Street," EPS Media Relations Spokesperson Carolin Maran said.."Both camps were deemed high-risk and were closed as a result.".It is unclear what that exact risk was, however, crews donned white hazmat suits as the tents were torn down and the items added to a dumpster that was brought along.. Edmonton homeless campEdmonton homeless camp .According to the City of Edmonton, the Encampment Response Team (ERT) conducted the removal in a partnership between the City of Edmonton, Homeward Trust, Boyle Street Community Services, Bissell Centre, and EPS. .ERT responds to "low-risk homeless encampments" across the city and coordinates closures and clean-up. Its goal is to support the safety and well-being of people staying in encampments, housing them directly from encampments before enforcement and clean-up action are taken. .If an encampment is a low risk, the ERT:.Works with agency partners to ensure outreach workers can attend the site and directly connect campers to housing and health support.Sets a date for closure and clean-up. Campers are informed of the date in advance so they have time to gather their belongings and relocate to a shelter, bridge housing program, or other location of their choice.This process may take a few days or up to a few weeks, based on the risk and available resources..If an encampment is a high risk, peace officers and EPS:.Determine a closure and clean-up date within 1-3 days of investigation. Provide campers with information on available resources such as shelters, support services, and transportation options in advance of enforcement..In August 2021, city council approved the adoption of a Minimum Emergency Shelter Standard to supplement existing shelter expectations and to make it easier for people experiencing homelessness to access shelter. The goal is to work cooperatively with the homeless-serving sector to improve standards, reduce barriers, increase uptake of available space, and help more people exit homelessness by rapidly connecting them with housing..Neil (no last name given) is a man from Yellowknife who was living at the 105 Avenue encampment in downtown Edmonton since the summer.. "No notice was given," Neil said as he scrambles to pack his belongings.. "I will be moving to the river valley I guess, and that seems to be the place where the rest of my friends are going. The premier of Alberta needs to do something.".Another man on scene told the Western Standard, "F*ck it, I'll probably overdose soon anyways" as he packed nothing and rode away on his repainted BMX bike..Vulnerable people could be seen wandering the downtown core screaming and crying shortly after some of the camps were removed. ."Where am I supposed to go," one lady screamed as she wandered amongst traffic on a busy downtown street..Some wore shoes, others had none, while some looked like pack mules with a heavy load strapped to their backs navigating to find their next spot to set up..A senior's drop-in centre near one of the encampments torn down was lined with people waiting..As winter looms citizens are encouraged to call 311 or use the 311 app to report encampments. .City park rangers are notified and investigate encampments within three to five days of the initial 311 report. ."Closure and clean-up timelines are determined by the level of risk to people staying in the encampment as well as the surrounding community. Risks include the size of the encampment, bio-hazards, needles, garbage, fire, amount of materials present, propane tanks, and proximity to schools or playgrounds," the City of Edmonton stated.
