Beefed-up security at Coquitlam shelter meeting

A meeting at city hall Nov. 1 descended into such chaos that some stakeholders are refusing to attend the follow-up gathering in the council chambers out of concern for their own safety, said Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart.

No intimidation would be tolerated, Stewart said.

Hesaid there would be RCMP officers present at the meeting, but said they are there to address concerns about the shelter, not specifically to keep the peace.

Residents living near the lot where the facility would be built, at 3030 Gordon Ave., have been adamant in their opposition to the project.

"Already we had a few homeless people that did live right in those bushes there before they clear-cutted them," said Jennifer Rees, pointing from her backyard. "You see a lot of them in the neighbourhoods, petty [thieving.] They go right into your backyards looking for stuff."

Property value concern

Rees said the proposed shelter is also too big and will bring her property value down.

The proposed 38,000 sq. ft., four-storey building would include 30 shelter beds, 30 studio units and emergency cold weather housing.

Flyers have gone out to stop the city's plan to rezone industrial land for the project.

Homeless advocates are calling for compassion.

"There are people who have addictions," said Sandy Burpee, chair of the Tri-City Homeless Task Force. "I would think the neighbourhood would be better served if those people that they're concerned about were inside shelter."

The only homeless shelter currently available in Coquitlam is being offered at on church floors.