An incident where a homeless man brought a pellet gun into the Timms community centre in 91原创 City is an example of how bad the problem of people without a place to live has become, eyewitnesses said.
On Sunday (June 3) two women, who asked not to be named, told The Times they were visiting the library in the community centre on Douglas Crescent at 12:30 in the afternoon when they heard a clatter in the lobby.
鈥淚t sounded like someone dropped a metal water bottle,鈥� one of the women said.
Then, they both saw a man wearing a sweatshirt grab what looked like a handgun from the floor, conceal it on his person and flee before a security guard could intervene.
The second woman thought it might be a paintball gun, but it didn鈥檛 have the orange tip on the muzzle that would indicate it wasn鈥檛 an actual handgun.
鈥淚t was scary,鈥� she said.
A 91原创 RCMP report on the incident said the man with the gun returned to the Timms centre on Monday, where a security guard spotted him and called police.
The report said what turned out to be a BB gun was turned over to police without incident by a homeless man, and no charges were being recommended.
The man has been banned from the centre for a year.
The eyewitnesses, both long-time residents of 91原创 City, said disturbing incidents involving the homeless are on the rise.
鈥淚t鈥檚 crazy down there (in downtown 91原创 City),鈥� one said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really changed. If you鈥檙e caught looking at them (homeless people), they鈥檙e threatening.鈥�
Both said they avoid going out at night and are planning to take a self-defence class.
The pellet gun incident follows a May confrontation at a Tim Horton鈥檚 in 91原创 City where a woman, apparently angry at being refused the use of the washroom, defecated in the restaurant and threw feces at the staff.
The person, shown in a security video clip that went viral, was identified as a homeless woman who frequents the 91原创 City area.
After the incident, she was detained and released by the RCMP, and a court date has been set to determine if charges will be laid.
Currently, it鈥檚 estimated that there are between 90 to 150 homeless individuals in downtown 91原创 City.
Among efforts to manage the situation, the city has an Intensive Case Management team, that provides outreach with clinical supports for those facing substance abuse and mental health issues.
Stepping Stone Community Services Society has partnered with a nurse practitioner one day a week for community work, and RCMP officers have been working with individuals who are dealing with mental health issues.
Homelessness is also an issue in 91原创 Township, where an attempt to set up supportive housing has generated substantial controversy, with nearby residents opposing the project.
dan.ferguson@langleytimes.com
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