Following a stabbing just a six-minute drive from the ARC, Kingston now faces the challenge of balancing safety with the needs of its vulnerable population after the immediate closure of the Integrated Care Hub (ICH).
A Sept. 12 stabbing on Montreal Street resulted in two fatalities and one individual left in critical condition. Following Kingston Police responding to the incident at 661 Montreal St., Mayor Bryan Paterson ordered for the closure of the ICH and its associated encampment until further notice.
READ MORE: Encampment residents near ICH Kingston face impending eviction
“The victims, who were suffering injuries consistent with those caused by an edged weapon and blunt instrument, were transported to local hospital with life threatening injuries. Two of the victims have succumbed to their injuries while the third remains in hospital with life threatening injuries,” Kingston Police wrote in a Sept. 12 press release.
Paterson called for the closure of the encampment, stating on social media that after almost three years of conversation surrounding the encampment’s safety, it was time for decisive action to take place.
“I will not stand by and wait until more people die—enough is enough. We need to clear the encampment, close this safe injection site and the ICH until we can find a better way to support our most vulnerable residents and work with the province to provide treatment and housing solutions,” Paterson added.
Carol Ravnaas, Executive Director of client services at Addictions & Mental Health Services KFLA, explained in an interview with The Journal that the call to close the safe injection site near the encampment may address community safety in the interim. However, Ravnaas, expressing her concerns, noted this solution isn’t ideal given the ongoing need for these services.
Ravnaas estimated approximately 50 individuals sleep at the ICH each night, with over 100 people requiring daily access to supplies, restrooms, and storage. These numbers fluctuate and aren’t fixed.
“Because of the nature of the population that can come and go, there are no firm numbers and so every once in a while, there’s a count of the encampment but that’s a ‘point in time count.’ There are times during the winter when there are fewer folks out there and they’ve come indoors,” Ravnaas said in an interview with The Journal.
Efforts are being made across Kingston to ensure those impacted by the attack and subsequent encampment closure have access to food and other necessary resources.
Amid the recent displacement of many unhoused individuals, Ravnaas highlights how the community has rallied to support those affected by the incident. Shelters, such as Adelaide St. Centre have added more beds, and the Salvation Army is providing resources as needed.
“It’s not easy to live as a homeless individual,” Ravnaas said.
The complexity of the current social issues, such as the rising cost of living, poverty, and the presence of a dangerous drug supply are all contributing factors, Ravnaas explained. Many individuals face hidden layers of trauma and personal struggles, making their situations more complex.
“There’s a lot of work to do to support people in getting through the incident, but right now, it’s just concentrated on providing those in need and doing our best to support them,” she said.
Ravnaas firmly believes solutions exist for this ongoing problem and addressing it requires not only the City’s efforts, which have been ongoing for years, but also support from provincial and federal governments.
Tags
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be contacted, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca.