Serving soup helps keep Regina's downtown safe

Regina's Victoria Park may be pretty at night, but 3 out of 10 people say they won't go downtown because they don't feel safe,according to a recent survey by the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District.

Regina's downtown is known as a popular hang-out for homeless young people.

Kim Sutherlandis the C.E.O. ofStreet Culture Project.Street Cultureserves soup to youthwho gather downtown in the evenings.

The group surveyed these young people to find out more about their needs. Itconnects with the kidsanddirectsthem away from downtown, and intoother programs to help them withmedical,justice andhousing issues.

Last year, there was not one call ofharassmentfrom downtown shoppers- Kim Sutherland, Street Culture Project

Sutherland was shocked by the sheer number of people who were comingfor food.
Manywere under 14-years-old.

"It reflected a much larger problem that we're going to have to address as the years pass,"said Sutherland. The Regina Downtown BID was also getting complaints from shoppers who felt intimidated by the number of street kids loitering near the library and on the streets.

Street Culturewas contracted by Regina Downtown to minimize the negative contact between street kids and shoppers.

"Last year, there was not one call of harassment from downtown shoppers," Sutherland said.