Councillors have voted unanimously to review local laws to better deal with encampments and community safety. But a number of councillors expressed grave reservations before voting yes.
Cr Rod Hardy’s motion to start a review of local laws to better deal with encampments on public lands, including footpaths and car parks, received qualified unanimous support. Council officers will now report back on the legality and effectiveness of improving community safety. This information will be used in conjunction with the forthcoming Community Safety Round Table involving police and social agency experts.
Unanimous but…
At Wednesday’s meeting, every decision was passed unanimously, with councillors displaying a determination to work together in a collegiate style. But while all their hands went up, a number of councillors effectively spoke against the motion. Councillors Halliday, Buckingham, and Mayor Crawford gave passionate speeches about the plight of the homeless and the likely ineffectiveness of fining people for being disadvantaged. Their discomfort was palpable, but they voted for the review of the local laws.
Cr Halliday said that tougher laws were the wrong response to a growing crisis in our community. However, he would support the review because the council needed to have an open mind towards possible responses to homelessness and other safety issues.
Cr Buckingham also started with the need to have an open mind, but she feared that the idea that tougher local laws would address safety concerns offered false hope.
Cr Cunsolo said she hoped the review would help but she had grave concerns. ‘This is not a silver bullet,’ she said.
Mayor Crawford visibly squirmed in the mayoral chair. She said these issues made her feel sick. She feared demonizing the homeless and disadvantaged, people who are facing mental health issues, ravaged by drugs that produce aggression and social media that inflames discussion. While she thought that crime was the problem rather than the homeless, she also supported the review of local laws as part of the round table approach.
‘No one cares more about the homeless [than me]’: Cr Beti Jay
Newly elected Cr Beti Jay was moved to tears in a passionate response supporting the review. She outlined her decades-long commitment to community volunteering, especially in street outreach to the marginalized. She said local laws have a role to play in protecting the vulnerable, scared, and weak.
Ultimately, every councillor voted for the motion that called for a three-month review of local laws and encampments.
