The Town of New Glasgow released the “What We Heard” Report summarizing the input from residents, businesses, and service providers during the town’s Community Safety Forum from October 1, at Glasgow Square.
The town scheduled the meeting back in September, after posting about escalating concerns around encampments, open drug use, safety in public spaces, and the operations of Viola’s Place.
New Glasgow Mayor Nancy Dicks (Town of New Glasgow photo)
A release from the town stated over 250 people attended the community forum, which included discussion on issues related to homelessness, addiction, mental health, community safety, and well-being. The meeting included a panel with New Glasgow Mayor Nancy Dicks, New Glasgow Regional Police Chief Ryan Leil, Pictou Centre MLA Danny MacGillivray, Viola’s Place Executive Director Lisa Deyoung, and Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addictions representatives Monika Thompson and Janah Fair.
Dicks said she doesn’t blame the homeless shelters, adding she feels the issues go further than that. With that said, the feedback recevied in the report shows residents do not believe Viola’s Place should be where it is right now, with Dicks noting it is located centrally in the downtown.
Dicks said they sent the report to the province and provincial health authority, adding they hope some of the recommendations can be followed up on. Next steps listed in the report include working with the Province of Nova Scotia and service providers to review the homeless shelter’s operations and current location, strengthening by-law enforcement and community safety initiatives, continuing advocacy for expanded mental health, addiction, and supportive housing services, and improving communication and transparency through ongoing public engagement.
The report is available at www.newglasgow.ca.
