The long, dry brush that surrounds tents in Saanich’s Regina Park was cut back Tuesday as Saanich officials worked to address fire hazards in the growing tent city.
“The levelling of the grass was one of our top concerns going in,” said Saanich police Insp. Gary Schenk, who was in the park Tuesday with deputy fire chief Brock Hensen.
“We cannot allow that to go unchecked. This has to be complied with because it’s putting … campers at risk as well as the houses bordering the park.”
Cutting the grass, Schenk said, creates space for tents to be repositioned, as the fire department is also concerned about the safety hazard posed by several tents being grouped closely together under a single tarp. Saanich Fire is asking tents to be at least one metre apart to allow a clear escape path in the event of a fire.
Schenk said campers have been very co-operative.
“Nothing that is happening today changes the original message, which is that continued occupation of the park is not lawful under the bylaw,” he said.
Saanich Fire issued a second fire inspection order on Friday. It prohibits smoking in the park, requires tall grass to be cut and bars tents from being within three metres of a fence or structure.
The first order, issued June 8, says no open flames, flammable liquids, compressed gases or portable generators are permitted inside tents or structures. Residents cannot cook or smoke inside their tents, according to the order.
It’s been 21Ú2 weeks since the District of Saanich issued a notice to vacate to the Regina Park campers, on the grounds that their occupation of the park is unlawful and constitutes trespassing.
The notice cites a B.C. Supreme Court decision allowing people who are homeless to erect temporary overnight shelter in Saanich parks between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. Tents and any personal possessions must be removed in the morning.
Brock said no tickets have been given out for failure to comply with the fire inspection orders.
“Today we are looking for voluntary compliance,” he said.
The municipality has donated garbage bins to keep rats away from food and a private citizen has donated a shed to be raffled off as a more stable home for one of the campers.
Saanich police officers continue to patrol the park several times a day.
Neighbours whose yard backs onto the encampment said they’re worried about their safety and are reticent to let their children play in the backyard.
Tent-city residents say there are about 75 people living in the park, which is adjacent to the Trans-Canada Highway near the Galloping Goose trail overpass.
One camper, a 42-year-old named Paul, said Saanich police officers have been respectful and fair and he recognizes they are doing their job. “I’m not worried about the police, I’m worried about the citizens of Saanich forcing the police’s hand,” Paul said. “The police become a blunt instrument of taxpayers.”
“They use language like ‘taking our community back.’ Well, I’m sorry, I’m not aware that we took your community away. We are your community.”
Saanich Mayor Richard Atwell and councillors will listen to the public’s concerns about the Regina Park encampment at 7 p.m. Thursday at a special council meeting.
