There will be no more homeless camping in Linear Park on 25th Avenue as of Feb. 1st, 2018, Vernon city council decided Monday. Council is also strongly in favour of creating a homelessness task force to come up with some solutions to the visible problem in the city.

Mayor Akbal Mund's motion to ban camping in the park was unanimously approved by council, and followed an appearance by the owner of Dean's Tailor Shop on the 2900 block of 33rd Street who complained bitterly about the street people and the subsequent loss of business. 

The downtown is “a drug apocalypse,” Vicki Eide told the council meeting which was packed with business owners and managers as well as the head of Vernon RCMP detachment. “We're asking for protection and help.”

She described arriving at work in the morning and then cleaning up human feces, urine and needles.

“They're bold, they're aggressive,” Eide said of many of the new street people who have been hanging out in her vicinity which is just a few blocks away from the Upper Room Mission. “If you want to go into the back of your business, there are people shooting up and having sex.”

Eide said she was losing between $1,500 to $2,000 per month while another owner claimed she had lost $10,000 in business over the summer due to customers' fears of being accosted during their shopping trips.

“I'm a little concerned that the message getting out there is Vernon is an unsafe place, I don't believe that it is,” said Coun. Brian Quiring.

“Lucky for you,” responded a few people in the audience.

“There's a misconception that the City of Vernon isn't doing anything but we're advocating on your behalf with the provincial government,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham.

She pointed to the efforts councillors made at recent meetings with provincial cabinet ministers, pleading for help with housing.

Cunningham also urged business owners to call the police if there was criminal activity.

She called the homeless situation and the subsequent problems “a divisive issue” when everyone should be working together.

Coun. Catherine Lord received backing for her call for the establishment of a homelessness task force that would include members of downtown businesses as well as social service agencies and politicians. Terms of reference for the task force will be presented at council's next meeting.

While the camping ban at Linear Park won't go into effect until February, Coun. Scott Anderson was pleased with the move, stating it would send a message for next year.