Williams Lake Council directed staff to prepare a Parks and Public Lands bylaw.
A letter to Council from the Salvation Army led to the request, as the area has seen an increase in drug use and related activities.
Mayor Surinderpal Rathor says having to receive that letter was heartbreaking.
“The people feed everybody who needs to be fed. When they’re writing a letter like that, it’s very disappointing.” says Rathor.
“That means the problem is there. If those people are scared to feed them, and those people are worried, who else isn’t safe? That’s my big worry.”
The bylaw update would bring it into alignment with standard provincial bylaws for better regulatory framework consistency to manage public spaces, including addressing the overnight camping at Boitanio Park.
Rathor says it would give bylaw officers more power to remove those who aren’t complying with the policies and bylaw.
He added that there is no timeline for when Council will review and implement the update, but says it is a priority for staff.
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