The District of Sooke is taking steps to increase safety for all park users, including people without homes, after Sooke Fire Rescue was called to extinguish a fire in an unoccupied tent Saturday night in Ed Macgregor Park.
On Monday, the district started a comprehensive cleanup in the park and said a plan is in place for more action, including an added presence of bylaw staff and outreach workers.
“On behalf of the district, while staff have been doing their best to navigate the complexities of the situation, we have been falling short in the care of this public space,” says chief administrative officer Raechel Gray. “We have reassessed and remobilized resources to continue our efforts to ensure our public parks are a welcoming and safe space for everyone in our community.”
Overnight sheltering in parks is allowed from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. when shelter space is limited, the district said.
