MOOSE JAW — The closure of Riverside Mission has not led to an increase in shoplifting of food or the creation of homeless encampments in parks, police say, although that could change when winter arrives.
The Moose Jaw Police Service provided an update about all the safety initiatives on which it is working during the September meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners. During the discussion, the board asked whether the agency had noticed an increase in tents in parks or people having difficulty accessing the Willow Lodge emergency shelter.
Impoverished residents erecting tents throughout the community is not new since it’s been happening for years, as some people usually find a spot in the woods to pitch a shelter, said Police Chief Rick Bourassa. Police become aware of that and move them to the proper places with resources.
The police service has not seen an increase in tents or homeless encampments since Riverside Mission’s closure, he continued, although it has focused on that topic after he issued a letter to officers urging them to visit places where that could happen.
“We’ve had people going through the parks,” chimed in Deputy Chief Rick Johns. “That’s not to say they haven’t found a location that’s far more remote that doesn’t get our attention or is slightly outside of our area of patrol.
“… we haven’t seen any significant increase at this point in time, but it is still fairly warm out and we’ll see (possibly see people) when it’s spring,” he added.
Riverside Mission also focused on food security and ensuring people had meals, board chairwoman Crystal Froese said. However, that issue has been reasonably addressed after Square One Community Inc. stepped in to organize meals.
Bourassa replied that after the downtown non-profit closed in late August, Square One held a meeting days later with many individuals and groups concerned about this situation — a meeting he also attended.
Unbeknownst to most people, the Moose Jaw Police Service can distribute food at its building if required, although many other entities — such as churches — do that equally well and are now handling food preparation while community leaders search for a long-term solution, he said.
“We have certainly opened our doors. We’ve been asked a couple times if we could, but then (organizers have) found someone else that would do,” Bourassa continued. “But we’re obviously not the best choice for doing that.”
Discussions are also occurring among community groups about long-term shelter options, while the police service will provide temporary accommodations since it will not turn people away, he remarked.
The agency has not seen an increase in impoverished people shoplifting food from grocery stores or downtown restaurants, although it has asked businesses to keep police informed if such issues arise, Bourassa said.
The chief added that if residents see people living in tents in parks or the woods, they should call the police so the agency can handle the situation.
