JOINT STATEMENT: City and Province on incident on Kingston Avenue
(Image: Mel Rothenburger)
Mayor Ken Christian and David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, have issued the following statement regarding an incident on Monday, Nov. 29, at the site of a future shelter on Kingston Avenue in Kamloops:
“The City of Kamloops and the Province, through BC Housing, would like to express our sympathies and support to the victim of a recent alleged assault that occurred at 600 Kingston Avenue.
“On Monday, Nov. 29, a Westmount resident was allegedly assaulted by a passerby after removing a poster protesting the Moira House Shelter that will be built on the site. We were shocked and appalled to hear of this behaviour in Kamloops and want to make it clear that we will not tolerate violence of any kind.
“While people may have differences of opinion on how best to support community members experiencing homelessness, violence is not a solution. It is counterproductive and unacceptable.
“We understand that some residents have concerns over the use of this property as a shelter and have set up appropriate channels to answer questions and create dialogue. We encourage community members to engage through upcoming information sessions and online via Let’s Talk pages.”
Background Information:
The matter is now with the RCMP who are investigating the attack.
As a result of this incident, BC Housing is looking into additional security features at the site, including adding lighting to the site and a security guard, to help ensure the safety of neighbourhood residents and workers who will be arriving on site next week. The public are also urged to call RCMP immediately if they witness or experience a threat to their safety near any BC Housing site.
A virtual information session will be held from 4–6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, to learn and ask questions about the future shelter operations at 600 Kingston Avenue. Representatives from BC Housing, the City of Kamloops and CMHA will be in attendance to answer questions. Pre-registration is required. Visit LetsTalkHousingBC.ca/kamloops-kingston-avenue for details on how to register.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
Emotions have run high ever since the news of this development was sprung upon the unsuspecting people of Westmount and the users of the Rivers Trail.
I had an exchange of emails with a couple of folks who voted on the proposal. It began nicely enough but as the questions became more pointed, it ended otherwise.
I learned what “FFS” meant as an acronym ……………
It gave me a better understanding of the character of people who are elected to make decisions for those who hold down jobs, pay mortgages, raise families and depend upon a safe park area to take their kids.
Talking to folks who use the Rivers Trail, it seems the common denominators have been that of being treated like a halfwit unable to help with the decision making and secondly, of fear (mainly by women) who have used the Rivers Trail and park but will do so no longer.
Thanks again to the councillor who gave me the wonderful education of modern day language apparently considered to be appropriate.
Violence should not be condoned. It is difficult to see how pieces of paper stuck to a fence could lead to a physical altercation. Let’s hope there is a second side to the story as time goes by.