Nanaimo Considering Fence Around City Hall to Protect Staff From Drug Consumption Site Disorder

The B.C. city of Nanaimo is proposing to build a fence around its city hall parking lot to protect staff from violence and disorder associated with “congregations” of people who frequent a supervised drug consumption site located next to the city’s parking lot.

City staff have proposed a 1.83-metre-high fence, which will cost an estimated $412,000 to install, due to concerns from employees about “intimidation and harassment.” Staff say the risk is higher for those working early or late, citing damage to staff vehicles, fires near the city hall building, including in doorways, as well as human waste and an overall deterioration of the area.

A report was written by staff ahead of a July 16 council committee meeting to seek approval from city council to receive the necessary funding and begin the project. The report, which outlines the project plans, says the city will require a zoning variance to build the fence 63 centimetres taller than the 1.2 metres generally permitted.

The overdose prevention site, which provides supervised drug consumption services for individuals at risk of overdose, is funded by Island Health and is operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). The site was relocated to Albert Street, which is next to city hall and its service and resource centre (SARC), in December 2022.

“This site operates as a lifeguard station for drug consumption, providing a welcoming and culturally safe environment, harm reduction supplies, sterile environments for safer drug consumption, lifeguards to witness consumption, best practices education for drug consumption, and low-barrier employment opportunities for community members,” says CMHA’s description of its Albert Street location.

‘Significant Increase in Disorder’

The city’s report says that since the relocation of the site, there has been a “significant increase in disorder” around city hall and SARC, including “congregations of 20 to 30+ individuals during early morning and evening hours,” drug trafficking, and open-air substance use.

Other issues city staff say have been “consistently observed and documented” include vandalism, damage to staff vehicles, fire hazards, graffiti, litter, human waste, and police arrests on or near the site.

“Disorderly behaviour is common both during and outside the facility’s hours of operation,” the report says. “When closed, individuals frequently congregate in the parking lots, gardens, and shaded areas around city hall and SARC, leading to considerable safety and operational challenges.”

The report says the overdose prevention site serves a “highly vulnerable and marginalized population” with many experiencing complex challenges, such as substance use disorder, homelessness or unstable housing, untreated trauma, co-occurring mental and physical health conditions, and extreme poverty.

City staff have proposed to install “robust decorative wrought iron fencing” around the city parking lots adjacent to the overdose prevention centre and access-controlled vehicle gates to improve site security. To improve perimeter security, staff have proposed to repave and reorganize the parking lot and make adjustments to sidewalks.

City staff noted in the report that a disadvantage to the plan is that the fencing could be perceived as a “symbol of exclusion” by some members of the public, “especially in the context of visible homelessness and public disorder in surrounding areas.” Additionally, the estimated cost is a “significant capital investment requiring ongoing maintenance,” the report indicates.

The report has yet to be approved by the city council.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.