Sarah Mills: Winter, go away!
Not everyone is ready for the snowmobile, snowblower and temperatures falling below freezing. Some of us, Sarah Mills sa...
Five people were arrested by the Regina Police Service as the homeless encampment in Core Community Park was dismantled Tuesday.
According to a statement issued by police on Wednesday morning, “Members of the Community Services Division, Investigative Services Division, Crisis Negotiators, and Public Safety Unit (PSU) worked collaboratively with Regina Fire and Protective Services (RFPS), the Ministry of Social Services (MSS), and the City of Regina to assist with the removal of all occupants from Core Community Park while ensuring the safety of community members and the public.”
Read more:
- VIDEO: Regina dismantles Core Park encampment over ‘imminent’ fire risks
- Volunteers at Regina homeless encampment urge more support as needs, concerns grow
- Regina homeless encampment puts city’s new approach to the test
The order to dismantle the encampment was issued by Regina Fire and Protective Services at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, citing “an imminent threat to life and public safety,” according to police.
Regina fire chief Layne Jackson told reporters that the fire department conducted an assessment and found the risk warranted closing the encampment. He said three fires at the site over the weekend were the primary reason for the order, along with the arrival of colder fall weather.
“One of the fires involved multiple tents,” Jackson explained. “It involved explosions, and it involved a person being hospitalized with burns.”
Police said five people were arrested “after being asked numerous times to vacate the park.” All five face charges of obstructing a police officer and one was also charged with assaulting a police officer.
All five were released from custody and are scheduled to appear in Regina Provincial Court at a later date, police said.
