Photo: File photo

Annette Sharkey is giving the Activate Safety Taskforce a thumbs up.

Sharkey, with the Social Planning Council and Partners in Action, said the presentation from the nine-member, City of Vernon commissioned group on Monday was positive.

The task force was designed to look into some of the challenges area businesses are facing from a segment of the homeless community. They then compiled the information and presented their findings to city council.

“Partners in Action really see the value of a number of their recommendations and we're really excited to connect with the city around that,” said Sharkey.

The PIA is a group made up of RCMP, Interior Health, Upper Room Mission, NOYFSS, the Downtown Vernon Association and other agencies.

“I was really happy to see there was an acknowledgment that it is a small group of people that are causing the biggest issues and that definitely businesses need some immediate action around that,” said Sharkey.

“It really is not OK for the downtown businesses to be experiencing violence or aggression or some of the stories that we have been hearing. It was pointed out the majority of homeless people are harmless and are just struggling with the lack of shelters and the lack of affordable housing.”

The task force made numerous recommendations to city officials and Sharkey said the PIA is open to working more closely on some of the recommendations.

Sharkey said the PIA has been advocating for public washrooms “for quite some time” and are working closely with the RCMP and bylaws “so if there is going to be an allocation of more resources that would be really positive as well.”

Sharkey said the task force allows businesses to talk about their challenges and to have a direct line to the RCMP and bylaw.

“We certainly welcome working more closely with the businesses that have been impacted for sure,” she said.