A Leon Avenue business said the situation on Leon Avenue is a failure. Chad Abougoush of Boyds Tire and Auto was unable to open his gate this morning because the sidewalk encampment was blocking the way. His complaint comes on the heels of a Friday night RCMP sweep of the block that coincided with the opening of a new night club. The homeless were asked to clear-out, prompting complaints that there was nowhere for them to go. They were back by Monday and Abougoush wants to remind people that the situation makes it almost impossible to do business.
Boyds Tire and Auto sits at the corner of Leon Avenue and Water Street, at the end of a block populated by scores of tents, tarps and scores of homeless people.
"Yeah, it's super frustrating for us," said Abougoush. "We're still showing up, trying to earn a paycheque every single day and it's really inhibiting us from being able to do that."
He said he understands why the authorities may have felt the need to allow people to put up their tents on the sidewalk, but it's simply not a workable arrangement.
"It doesn't work for business. We need to be able to pull cars in and out and service our customers that come to us and when they inhibit the sidewalk and prevent us from even pulling in and doing anything like that, how are we supposed to do our jobs?"
And despite a growing list of housing options for the homeless in Kelowna, he said the problem is not going away.
"The real facts are that it's getting worse," said Abougoush, "and if you don't see it getting better, then you have to re-assess your plan and take a different approach to it."
Soon it will be a moot point for Abougoush's business. There are plans to move, just like others in the area have.
"I do have compassion for these people and they come in every day and I help them out, give them coffee," said Abougoush, but he said a business needs a chance to survive too. "I still have to be able to bring home a paycheque."
When the police forced people off the sidewalks Friday many felt that the action was unfair, and they pointed out they were given no good suggestions as to where they should take their things.
The RCMP has said the action was prompted by safety concerns. We spoke with people on Leon Avenue Monday and those interviews can be seen below.
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