A man at Barrie’s Brock Park homeless encampment was offered other living space Thursday morning, but chose to go his own way instead.
Barrie police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon said officers were at the encampment along Innisfil Street to support city bylaw enforcement workers there.
One person was at the encampment, which is made up of tents, tarps, furniture and sleeping bags hung to dry.
Leon said police explained to him that other accommodations were available.
“But he did not want to make use of them and officers tried to assist by packing up some of the belongings that they had,” Leon said. “They did not go to the location where there was proper housing for him available. He chose against that and he made his way to another location.”
Leon said the primary function for police in these situations is to stand by and keep the peace, to make sure that there aren’t any issues that arise.
Police did not have to remove the man, Leon said, as he packed up and left on his own accord.
Police laid no charges against the man.
City officials did not provide comment prior to publication of this story.
It’s unknown how many people frequent the Brock Park encampment, but four tents were visible in BarrieToday photographs on Monday.
However, a woman who works in the area had told BarrieToday she had never seen more than two people there.
“It (the encampment) just continued to grow to a point where there were some complaints,” Leon said. “Especially with changes in weather that are coming … it’s best if they can find accommodations for them.
“Certainly, we try everything that we can, but this individual did not want to go and explore the opportunity. They were determined. He just packed up what they needed and moved on," Leon added.
Leon would not disclose where the man went, but said it was arranged by those on scene as well as from the County of Simcoe.
“I know they’re calling potentially for winter to return with a vengeance this weekend, so the more people they can get with a solid roof over their head…” he said.
As of Monday, the County of Simcoe has warming centres in Barrie at the Salvation Army Bayside Mission, located at 16 Bayfield St., from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., on as many as seven days a week.
The Elizabeth Fry Society has warming rooms at the Simcoe Hotel 24 hours a day, up to seven days a week.
Coun. Craig Nixon, who represents this area, has noted the county is designated as a "service manager" under the Housing Services Act of 2011 and, as such, the responsibility for housing and homelessness services in Barrie is assigned to the county.
Camping in a city park or on city land is not permitted. Barrie’s parks use bylaw says no person shall enter, use or remain within a public park for the purpose of overnight sleeping between the hours of 11 p.m. of one day and 5 a.m. of the following day.
But the city has also said it takes a compassionate approach to enforcing this bylaw.
Propane appliances and campfires are also not allowed in any city parks.
