FORT ST. JOHN –The City of Fort St. John has released RCMP data on homeless-related incidents as it works to address rising public safety concerns and find ways to assist the unhoused.
In a release, the city says Staff Sergeant Scott Watson recently met with Council’s Response Committee on Housing and Emergency Shelter (CRCHES).
The RCMP data showed there were 257 calls for service between January and October, all related to the same 10 individuals. There were also 73 calls made to the police regarding homeless camps.
This is compared to over 10,000 case files being looked into over the same period of time.
The city acknowledged that although the incidents make up only a small number of files, the link between homelessness and public safety remains a concern.
“This relatively small percentage underscores the need to address homelessness as part of a broader, comprehensive strategy to enhance community …