The City of Lloydminster has released a report outlining the measures it is taking to address concerns about safety, social disorder and unhoused people in the downtown area while continuing to invest in revitalization efforts and community supports.
The report was shared with downtown businesses and property owners following council discussions on Aug. 17 and highlights a combination of enforcement, outreach, prevention programs and infrastructure investments designed to improve safety while addressing the complex challenges associated with homelessness, addictions and mental health.
According to the city, concerns raised by businesses have focused on issues such as public intoxication, encampments, disruptive behaviour and perceptions of safety in the downtown core. The report notes that the city’s approach involves partnerships with the RCMP, community organizations and social service providers.
RCMP had about 1,200 Downtown calls
The report states RCMP officers attended approximately 1,200 calls in the downtown area during the summer months. Police also conducted enhanced proactive patrols, including foot patrols, bike patrols and 240 hours of overtime shifts aimed at increasing visibility and responding to concerns.
Additional enforcement statistics included:
- Approximately 1,200 files connected to downtown and unhoused populations over a four-month period
- 258 well-being checks involving individuals believed to be unconscious or in need of assistance
- 215 Trespass Act warnings, tickets or charges
- 378 disturbance and mischief-related incidents
- 557 individuals detained in Lloydminster cells over a two-and-a-half-month period
- 273 criminal charges related to offences including controlled substances, assaults and break-and-enter incidents
Enforcement and Navigation Unit operations
The city’s Enforcement and Navigation Unit (ENU), which combines enforcement with social support services, has also remained active.
Between July 1 and Aug. 10, the unit completed six transfers to recovery centres, made 25 public intoxication arrests, responded to 40 overdoses with Narcan administration, issued 136 trespass notices and connected 34 individuals with support services and referrals.
The city reports it has invested approximately $246,000 in operating funds and an additional $100,000 for fleet acquisition to support the program.
Clean City Team – encampment cleanup, business support efforts
The report also highlights the work of the Clean City Team, which was established in June with four seasonal staff members focused on maintaining public spaces and supporting cleanliness initiatives.
The team assists with needle collection, property cleanup, encampment maintenance and beautification projects throughout the city.
Through the Encampment Management Program, the city says three major encampment cleanups have been completed, approximately 15 to 20 individuals have been relocated to alternative locations and roughly 40 tonnes of waste have been removed from encampment sites.
AGENT program
The city’s AGENT program has worked with 119 businesses, resulting in 236 trespass notices and contributing to 12 trespass-related tickets or charges.
Prevention and housing supports
City officials emphasize enforcement alone cannot address the underlying causes of social disruption.
The report outlines several initiatives focused on housing and support services, including the Housing Working Group, a Housing Action Plan currently under development, a housing needs assessment and Point-in-Time homeless counts used for planning and grant applications.
Additional programs include the Mobile Warming Shelter, which operates during extreme winter weather, the Homebase Grant Program supporting Housing First initiatives and the city’s Social Policy Framework, which guides long-term social planning.
Downtown investments
The city says it continues to invest in creating a more attractive and economically competitive downtown.
Recent investments include more than $532,000 through the Façade and Building Improvement Program and approximately $9.81 million in infrastructure improvements associated with the Central Business District replacement dealing with water and sewer lines and streetscape project.
The city also continues to provide support for Downtown Event Grants, Downtown Lloydminster marketing efforts, community festivals and business engagement activities. More than 300 business check-ins have been conducted by Economic Development, Public Safety and other city departments.
Next steps
While acknowledging that challenges remain, the report notes the city is exploring additional tools to improve conditions downtown.
These include bench and greenspace management practices, potential bylaw updates, advocacy for additional provincial resources, further discussions regarding prosecution standards and continued collaboration with community partners.
The city says it remains committed to maintaining communication with businesses and pursuing long-term solutions aimed at improving public safety while addressing the root causes of homelessness, addictions and mental health challenges.
You may read the full report using this link.
