‘Insufficient treatment options available’ to solve downtown Kelowna’s ‘addiction-driven’ issues

Downtown businesses are frustrated and there’s only so much that can be done at the municipal level.

That was part of the message from City of Kelowna community safety manager Darren Caul and RCMP Supt. Chris Goebel at a media availability this afternoon regarding the recent increase in “social disorder” calls downtown.

Both reaffirmed some familiar talking points about increased investments and resources being devoted to the issue, while subtly and indirectly calling on higher levels of government to do more.

“I think it’s no surprise to anybody that predominantly these issues are addiction-driven,” Goebel said. “We recognize that we are part of the solution as enforcement, however, from our perspective there has to be equal measures.”

According to Goebel, there are insufficient treatment options available for members of the homeless community who are suffering from addiction.

“They need help and they need support, and if there isn’t the help and support available for them, where are they supposed to go?, he queried.

“That means voluntary treatment options so that we can actually look after them and support these folks, but also involuntary treatment through the courts for those (who) refuse to get help (who) are continuing to negatively impact public safety.”

Goebel said incidents of social disorder are increasing, which includes Mental Health Act calls and open drug use among other things, and “that impact is real” on the downtown core.

Caul noted the issues plaguing downtown Kelowna are not unique from other communities in BC and they’re rooted in the same cause.

While the City is focused on getting people off the streets, the increasing number of homeless people due to mental health and substance use problems are “provincial responsibilities.”

One area where the City and Province work closely together is Kelowna’s relationship with BC Housing and trying to move affected people through various levels of supportive housing.

While there have been some success stories there, including with Kelowna’s relatively new tiny home sites, Caul said that has been countered by newcomers to the homeless population.

He claimed that some are coming to Kelowna from other cities, particularly in the Prairies, but many are lifelong Kelowna residents driven into poverty by the current economic climate.

“Among the strategies we’re employing here is to ensure that those new individuals in our city are aware of the supports and resources, and the expectations, for those who are living unhoused in our community,” he explained.

While the issues are said to be bigger than just enforcement, the RCMP confirmed that patrols and enforcement downtown have been increased.

Gallery Streetwear owner Todd Daniels told KelownaNow last week that he’s noticed that during the day, but would like to see more done at night when the majority of the criminal activity happens.

When asked about that today, Goebel said the RCMP would use data and citizen reports to “determine when we can get the greatest return on investment for our resources to have the greatest impact on public safety.”

With that in mind, both Goebel and Caul encouraged citizens to report any and all issues and incidents to police to help shape the strategies around patrols.