The Provincial Government says that within the next 60 days, it will relocate the Community Outreach Centre to 15 Park Street and close the current centre on Euston Street. On Monday night, Charlottetown City Council, by a vote of 6-5, approved the province’s application for a major variance to allow the relocation of services to the provincially-owned land on Park Street. The Province says this will be a temporary move for one year to allow government the time needed to build a model of care that balances the needs of clients and interests of residents and neighbours.
In the meantime, Government says that based on the immediate recommendations of the Special Advisor to the province, some service changes will be taken:
– Improved triage and intake processes so that the Centre does not continue to be a catch all location for individuals;
– Move clients through the centre to appropriate services available in the community;
– Reduced loitering; and
– Zero tolerance drug and alcohol use.
The Province says that it will be meeting with residential neighbours and the business community during the relocation, and will also put supports in place, such as:
– Funding to support enhanced policing resources with the Charlottetown Police Service;
– On-site security 24 hours a day, 7 days a week;
– A Resident Support Team to work with homeowners in nearby properties;
– Perimeter fencing;
– clean-up crews to ensure garbage, debris, and paraphernalia are cleaned up in public spaces within the area; and
– Appropriate procedures and processes to work with clients who don’t follow the accountability measures and respect for neighbours, community, and staff.
The Province says it will maintain a security presence around the Euston Street property once the Centre vacates. Planning for repurposing the Euston Street property, in consultation with the surrounding communities, will begin this Fall.
