The City of Campbell River is developing plans to enhance downtown safety and cleanliness, potentially establishing overnight patrols by Blackbird Security. This initiative responds to increased "health and safety challenges" downtown due to homelessness and the opioid epidemic, exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In August 2020, community members voiced their concerns at a special council meeting, prompting a focus on increasing enforcement. This summer, the Downtown BIA initiated overnight patrols by Blackbird Security, funded by local businesses and property owners.
During an August 24 committee meeting, the council requested a report on additional security measures, which could be funded by the city or indirectly through the Downtown BIA. Providing additional security patrols is seen as a short-term solution while increasing municipal or RCMP enforcement is considered a long-term strategy.
Council discussions also included extending security patrols beyond the central business district to areas with significant businesses impacted by downtown issues. The exact boundaries of the patrolled area will be included in the forthcoming report.
In addition to security measures, the council is exploring ways to improve downtown cleanliness, potentially partnering with other groups. Discussions on potentially closing the downtown safety office were moved in-camera, but any decision will include reassigning the four full-time staff to other city buildings.
This story was featured with the Campbell River Mirror here.
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