Homelessness, Safety, and Working Together: What’s Happening in ward sipiwiyiniwak

Over the past year, discussions around homelessness, crime, and public safety have often centered around downtown Edmonton. But lately, we’ve been seeing these issues impact the west end as well.

I’ve witnessed firsthand the rise of encampments along the river valley, and an increase in property crime and vandalism in our neighborhoods. Online groups of neighbourhoods have plenty of posts warning their fellow residents of theft and damage to their homes and property. It's a common issue I've heard in community league meetings.

These are not just headlines. They’re real, deeply personal concerns for many of us.

But here’s the truth: many of the tools we need to address the root causes, such as affordable housing, addictions treatment, and mental health care, are managed by the provincial government. The City of Edmonton is responsible for emergency services and some community outreach, as well as land related decisions to build shelters or similar amenities. It simply can’t tackle these issues alone.

In addition, we’ve seen deeper provincial involvement in local governance—like changes to the Edmonton Police Commission’s oversight authority. Recently, the province also introduced a new “compassionate intervention” law. The intention is to provide involuntary care for those struggling with addiction, with the goal of reducing harm. Some believe this could help, but others argue it might be oppressive and ineffective.

While I don’t have a fixed stance yet, I’m committed to listening and learning from the experiences of frontline workers and affected communities.

As your councillor, I will work toward a solution that prioritizes both immediate safety and long-term support. This means advocating for stronger coordination between the city and provincial governments to address these issues in a holistic way.

In the meantime, here are a few things you can do to help:

• Use 311 to report encampments, litter, or any unsafe conditions in your neighborhood. The app lets you include photos and location details, which helps city staff respond more effectively.

• If someone appears to be unwell or in distress, especially in the winter months, call 211 and press 3 to reach the Crisis Diversion Team.

• And most importantly, connect with your neighbors. Work together with your community league. A united community is a safer community.

Together, let’s move forward with compassion, coordination, and courage.

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