N.S. news: Public meeting held over downtown Dartmouth encampment [Video]

There was a sizable turnout at a public meeting in downtown Dartmouth, N.S., Wednesday night about a homeless encampment in the neighbourhood.

Dozens of area residents attended the event, which focused on the Geary Street encampment.

Many expressed concerns about drug use and crime.

Local councillor Sam Austin was in attendance as well as the city’s director of housing and homelessness, who says the situation is far from ideal.

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“Ultimately, the goal is to not have encampments. Encampments are bad for the people that are forced to live in them. And as we heard tonight from these residents, it also deeply impacts those who live around an encampment,” Max Chauvin said.

“The goal is to work with our partners at the province and with other service providers to ensure that everybody has a safe, affordable, sustainable, permanent housing option.”

Harbourview Residents’ Association co-chair …