VICTORIA — The City of Nanaimo, B.C., is moving forward with plans to construct a 1.8-meter-high fence around city hall. This decision comes in response to increasing safety concerns linked to an overdose prevention site located nearby. The proposed fence, estimated to cost $412,000, aims to protect city staff from disturbances, including violence and disorder associated with the site.

City staff have reported incidents of "intimidation and harassment" directed at employees, particularly those working during early or late hours. Additional issues include damage to staff vehicles, fires near entrances, human waste, and a general decline in the area’s condition. A staff report indicates that a zoning variance will be required to build the fence, which is 60 centimeters taller than the current limit of 1.2 meters.

Mayor Leonard Krog emphasized the municipality's legal obligation to ensure the safety of its employees and property. "We can’t fence off everybody’s private property," Krog stated. "We can’t control every street, but we do have a duty to our employees, which is legal and present and very clear. This report represents the views of our staff, their feelings, and more importantly, and sadly, their fears and the experience that they have had in the last few years."

The overdose prevention site, funded by Island Health and operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association, was relocated to Albert Street next to city hall in December 2022. Since then, the city has reported a notable rise in disorder around the area. The staff report notes that disorderly behavior is prevalent both during and outside the facility’s operating hours. When the site is closed, individuals often gather in the parking lots, gardens, and shaded areas surrounding city hall and the service and resource center (SARC).

The report highlights that gatherings of 20 to 30 individuals are common during early morning and evening hours. It describes the area as a frequent site for loitering, violence, and property-related issues, including damage to staff vehicles, fires, litter, vandalism, and safety risks, particularly for those accessing the resource center.

While acknowledging the challenges, the report also points out that the overdose prevention site serves a "highly vulnerable and marginalized population" with many individuals living in extreme poverty and facing limited access to healthcare and support services. The report warns that installing a fence may be viewed by some as a symbol of exclusion, especially in light of visible homelessness and public disorder in the vicinity.

Kevan Shaw, vice-president of the Nanaimo Area Public Safety Association, called the plans a "wake-up call" for provincial and federal leaders. He expressed concern for city employees, stating it is "horrible, disgusting and sad" that they feel unsafe at work. Many downtown residents and business owners share similar sentiments.

Krog responded to these concerns, noting that the situation around city hall is not as dire as suggested by the association. However, he acknowledged the need for action from higher levels of government. He stated, "I am very conscious of the problems facing downtown" and agreed that government responses should be more substantial.

In recent years, the city has hired 12 new community safety officers and 15 new RCMP officers, with plans for additional hires in the upcoming budget. Krog defended the fencing costs, suggesting they are reasonable compared to similar projects. "When you’re talking about the amount of area that has to be covered with fencing, I don’t think you’ll find the cost is extraordinary in comparison to fencing any other area with a fence that would actually be secure when you’re allowing for the kind of gating that’s necessary."

The council has yet to approve the fencing project and its funding.