Drug use, theft, squatting and confrontations with staff are on the rise at the Nelson and District Community Complex.

Staff suspended 10 patrons during a two-week period in January, according to Joe Chirico, general manager of community services for the Regional District of Central Kootenay.

His report to the recreation commission on Jan. 28 cited several instances of patrons locking themselves in showers or change rooms, drug paraphernalia found in washrooms, people setting up sleeping bags in the washrooms, money and washroom products being stolen, users not paying to access the facilities, and verbal abuse of staff.

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檝e had patrons say to us they香蕉视频直播檙e not feeling as safe as they used to be,香蕉视频直播� Chirico said. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 definitely increased staff stress. Oftentimes, if you confront people you香蕉视频直播檝e suspended from the community, they香蕉视频直播檙e belligerent, they can be abusive 香蕉视频直播� not necessarily physically but verbally, and that takes its toll.

香蕉视频直播淸It] just doesn香蕉视频直播檛 make the facility a family-positive, public place to come to.香蕉视频直播�

Staff have installed used-needle containers throughout the complex, locked several doors that used to remain open throughout the day, and are trying to funnel all visitors past the front desk, he said. They香蕉视频直播檙e also considering hiring security.

The challenge, Chirico said, is that people have a right to be in a public place even if they haven香蕉视频直播檛 paid to get in 香蕉视频直播� especially when it is cold outside 香蕉视频直播� and the centre suffers from not having a larger entrance for the public to relax in.

香蕉视频直播淲e know we need to be somehow a part of the positive solution for the community, but we香蕉视频直播檙e still trying to figure out how we fit into that,香蕉视频直播� he said.

香蕉视频直播淲e want to be empathetic, but we also want to make sure the facility is safe for patrons and staff.香蕉视频直播�

In 2018, a homeless count recorded 101 people living in Nelson without safe, permanent housing 香蕉视频直播� more than a third of whom had been without it for more than six months.

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tyler.harper@nelsonstar.com
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