View From the Homeless Streets

A man who uses the worldwide web to draw attention to the plight of Abbotsford’s homeless has slammed the city for “stealing” the personal belongings of some of the men and women who live on the streets. James Breckenridge, who is himself homeless, is accusing city crews of “throwing property into the garbage” following an incident late last week. In the city’s defence, spokesman Jay Teichroeb has said that would not happen without prior warning. Breckenridge has been joined by others in criticizing the city for “confiscating” the tents and belongings of approximately five homeless people. He is adamant in his claims, and said he fails to see what is being achieved by such actions. “You have just rendered them a little more homeless, but you haven’t done anything to solve the problem,” he blasted. “People have nowhere else to go and that’s what really aggravates me. By taking these actions, the city has not accomplished anything.” While Teichroeb said he couldn’t speak specifically on what Breckenridge and others are alleging, he pointed out the city does have a policy in place.He said that if city hall receives a complaint about a “camp of some kind” – whether that complaint be based around trespassing, vandalism or theft – city bylaw officials will attend the scene. Teichroeb said the city representatives will then give those at the centre of a complaint a “resource pamphlet” informing them where they can receive assistance, and also issue a 48-hour notice. That notice, he explained, requires the person to vacate the area within two days. If that person does not move, he said the city could then return and “clean up” the site. “It is not part of the city’s practice that they would come unannounced and confiscate personal belongings without advanced warning,” he said. “Typically, our guys aren’t out there looking to be disruptive with these people.” Breckenridge is the author of an internet blog – at www.geocities.com/homelessnessinabbotsford – which addresses Abbotsford homeless issues. He estimates there are currently between 500 and 800 homeless people living in the city. Breckenridge said he was rendered homeless a year ago, and now lives in his car. Prior to that, he said he had a home for more than 50 years. Traditionally, funding for homelessness is provided by the provincial and federal governments rather than municipalities. However, if that money is not forthcoming, Breckenridge – who accesses library computers to update his homeless website – said the city should step forward.“They (the city) have been encouraging people to cut down the brush, but all you are doing is taking people out of the brush and moving them onto the street. All they can do is move down the block,” he said. “If you do not have programs to get them off the street, you are just going to push them around the city.” Breckenridge believes the goal of the city is simple, and points to a “clean-up” he said has already taken place in downtown Abbotsford which has pushed the homeless out. “I think the city would like them to leave but I do not think they are being realistic. They have nowhere to go,” he said.Sumas Way, so those merchants get nailed, or they move to Clearbrook Road.” Breckenridge said “it would not be wrong” to say a fair portion of homeless people have drug problems. However, while he said that some homeless people make a choice not to work, he added many – including himself – are in a group that wants to get their lives back on track. “It gets tough. The public looks at the homeless and sees drug addicts and alcoholics and lumps them all together as ‘we don’t want to work.’ The truth is that there are a whole series of groups with different needs,” he said. “The city and the province needs to start assisting.” To help address the homeless situation locally, Breckenridge said he would like to see some coordination between churches.He also said it would be nice if homeless people could access information telling them where services are available, and also facilities where they could have a shower and do their laundry. That, he said, would assist many of the homeless people looking for jobs.“A lot of people are willing to work but they are just not the most presentable people in the world,” he said. “We also need some place where people are able to get off the street, and we need to get them off when they want to come off. “A significant number of homeless people have mental problems. They have mental challenges and there are no services to address that.” Breckenridge said the city could provide a service that would allow phone messages to be left for an individual. That, he said, would also assist in the job-seeking process. “You try getting a job without a phone number,” he added.