Lloydminster City Council has authorized the temporary removal of 21 city-owned benches in the downtown core in response to concerns from businesses about safety, loitering and disruptive behaviour.
The move is intended to disrupt gathering areas that have become a source of concern for some downtown businesses and visitors. City officials acknowledged, however, that removing benches will not address the underlying issues of homelessness, addictions and mental health challenges that contribute to some of the activity being seen in the area.
The decision affects city-owned benches throughout a designated downtown area but does not include the four benches surrounding the downtown gazebo. Administration also noted there are an estimated nine privately owned advertising benches in the area operating under unapproved lease arrangements.
According to administration, each bench can be removed in less than an hour and at a cost of under $200. The benches will be stored at the city’s operations yard and can be returned if conditions do not improve.
Council discussed the removal as a short-term measure while broader solutions continue to be explored. Administration indicated a phased approach had been considered, but a wider removal was recommended because leaving some benches in place could simply shift gathering activity to nearby locations.
Officials also cautioned that the activity may relocate elsewhere in the downtown core or into nearby residential neighbourhoods.
Downtown safety concerns driving action
The bench removal comes as the city continues to deal with ongoing concerns related to public safety and social disorder in the downtown area.
Administration told council that approximately $1.5 million in RCMP spending is connected to downtown-related activity.
As of Aug. 14, police had transported individuals arrested in the downtown area to Lloydminster RCMP cells 557 times. The total includes detentions for public intoxication and people awaiting release by the courts, but does not include those arrested and released at the scene.
Police have also laid 273 criminal charges stemming from downtown incidents, including drug, assault and break-and-enter offences.
To support enforcement efforts, the city has funded roughly 240 hours of additional RCMP bike patrols, foot patrols and overtime shifts this year at a cost of about $30,000. Three targeted crime-reduction initiatives have added another $50,000 in spending.
City balancing enforcement and support services
City officials noted that concerns about downtown safety are not always tied to criminal behaviour.
The city’s response has included outreach and social-support initiatives in addition to policing efforts.
Its Enforcement and Navigation Unit, which pairs a community peace officer with a social worker, operates at an estimated annual cost of $246,000. The team has helped arrange six transfers to recovery facilities, made 25 public-intoxication arrests and responded to approximately 40 suspected overdoses this year.
The city’s AGENT program has also expanded, with 119 businesses participating. The program allows officers to enforce trespassing complaints on behalf of property owners and has resulted in 236 trespass notices and 12 tickets.
Housing and treatment shortages remain challenge
Administration told council that one of the biggest barriers to addressing downtown social issues remains the lack of available shelter, treatment and supportive housing spaces.
Officials said individuals who agree to enter treatment often face delays before beds become available, increasing the risk that they may abandon plans for recovery before receiving support.
Council heard that Lloydminster currently has a 28-bed men’s shelter and only a limited number of spaces available for women in crisis.
At the same time, a housing-first program operated through the Olive Tree and supported by the city has helped more than 60 people move from homelessness into stable housing.
More downtown revitalization ideas discussed
Council also discussed ways to encourage more positive activity in the downtown core, including a potential farmers market, additional community events and a working group involving businesses, non-profit organizations, faith groups and other stakeholders.
Other ideas raised for future consideration included changes to landscaping, modifications to benches and design features intended to discourage sleeping or prolonged gatherings in public spaces.
Administration is also planning a review of the city’s Community Standards Bylaw this winter, including whether existing provisions dealing with loitering and public conduct remain effective.
The bench removal is expected to serve as a temporary measure while council continues exploring longer-term approaches to improving safety and addressing the social challenges affecting Lloydminster’s downtown.
