The City of Campbell River (the City) led a cleanup on December 19, 2023, at Nunns Creek Park (off of Homewood Road), which is the area designated by the City for overnight camping. This work continues the City’s cleanup efforts that began on November 8, 2023.

This cleanup helped make the space safer for under/unhoused people of the community who are camping in the area through improved cleanliness, improved visibility and reduced fire risk. A significant amount of garbage was removed from the area, camps were downsized and spaced out appropriately, and City staff installed concrete barriers to better secure the area from vehicular traffic. The Bylaw Department also engaged in cleanup efforts at Sequoia Park. The Bylaw Department is actively working with other City teams to investigate community concerns and monitor Nunns Creek Park to further address issues related to encampments.

Belongings that were removed during the latest cleanup are being stored by the City and are available to people wishing to claim them. For information on belongings, phone the Bylaw Enforcement Department at 250-286-5776 or visit the Downtown Safety Office at 1302 Shoppers Row to make arrangements to collect them.

The bylaw team has been closely monitoring and prioritizing City facilities in the downtown core to keep the City’s public spaces clean and compliant with the bylaws that prohibit overnight camping on City property, other than in the designated area. On December 4, 2023, the City conducted a cleanup of camping and sleeping arrangements at several downtown locations, including Spirit Square, where camping and sleeping are prohibited by Public Nuisance Bylaw No. 3543, 2014. The bylaw team has also increased its focus and presence downtown, alongside the City’s security contractors. The City’s Operations Department will soon be launching its downtown cleanliness program in the downtown core and other priority locations, with dedicated staff working to ensure clean washrooms and public spaces.  These combined efforts are the result of an investment of $1.4 million to further expand the Downtown Safety Office’s hours, public works cleanup activities, and community and downtown security patrol by Council earlier this year.

“It is encouraging to see the positive outcomes of investments that Council has made in 2023, such as the $1.4 million to further expand the Downtown Safety Office’s hours, public works cleanup activities, and community and downtown security patrol,” says Mayor Kermit Dahl. “Thanks to City staff, RCMP and the community organizations involved for helping us to complete this important work safely so that the unhoused population have a cleaner and safer space for overnight camping and all Campbell River residents can enjoy the public spaces we know and love.”

A healthy and safe community, particularly in the downtown area, continues to be a focus of Council and the City. The City continues to work with the Province/BC Housing on solutions to address encampments and assist vulnerable populations and unhoused individuals.

The City thanks all staff and agencies who participated in recent cleanup efforts, including City bylaw and operations staff, RCMP and community organizations involved in providing services for the under/unhoused people of the community.

To learn more about what the City is doing, visit www.campbellriver.ca/downtown-safety.