To the Mayor and Council of the Town of Princeton:

We, the undersigned residents, business owners, and community members, are submitting this petition to express serious and urgent concerns regarding the increase in homeless encampments—particularly along the riverside and other public lands—and the growing public normalization of illegal drug use within these encampments and shared community spaces.

OUR POSITION IS CLEAR:

We recognize that no one chooses to be homeless or struggling with addiction. We understand that many individuals facing these challenges are seeking stability, support, and a path toward recovery. We commend any efforts by individuals to support one another and connect with services.

However, while these personal efforts are meaningful, it does not change the reality that the encampments are an unauthorized occupation of public land that has created serious risks to public health, safety, the environment, and the overall integrity of our community.

Riverside parks and public spaces were never intended to function as harm reduction sites, detox centers, or shelters. These are shared spaces meant for the enjoyment, safety, and well-being of the entire community—including families, seniors, children, and visitors.

We believe that true harm reduction and support services must happen in appropriate, sanctioned, and professionally managed facilities—not in public parks or riverbanks, and not by persons who themselves are using, in a community without a rapid response team. If the necessary supports are lacking, the responsibility falls on the local and provincial governments to deliver real solutions—not on communities to bear the burden in their public spaces.

While some suggest that these issues are being exaggerated or misunderstood, the impacts on Princeton are very real:

• Open drug use in public areas.
• Discarded needles, human waste, and garbage.
• Fire hazards and environmental damage to sensitive riverfront ecosystems.
• Rising concerns for personal and community safety.

Princeton, like any community, deserves to protect its public spaces while ensuring that vulnerable individuals are treated with compassion and dignity through proper services.

OUR CONCERNS INCLUDE:

• Public Safety Risks: Open drug use, discarded needles, and drug-related paraphernalia in parks, riverside areas, and public lands create serious health and safety risks for all residents—especially children, seniors, visitors and wildlife.
• Environmental Damage: The improper disposal of human waste, garbage, and hazardous materials poses a direct threat to the sensitive river ecosystem, wildlife, and the health of our natural spaces.
• Degradation of Our Community: The visible decline in safety, cleanliness, and overall livability in Princeton affects everyone. Families are avoiding parks, businesses are impacted, and some residents may feel unsafe. This contributes to the deterioration of Princeton’s reputation as a clean, welcoming, and safe ‘community’ town.
• Increased Theft and Vagrancy: There are growing concerns about rising incidents of theft and vagrancy linked to unregulated encampments, impacting local businesses, residents, and overall community well-being.
• Legal and Liability Concerns: Allowing unregulated encampments and open drug use in public spaces may expose the Town to liability risks, contribute to the degradation of our community, compromise the integrity of public spaces, and jeopardize public health and safety.
• Community Impact: The continued presence of encampments and drug-related activity undermines the fair and safe use of parks and public spaces. It harms quality of life, deters visitors, affects local businesses, and fosters growing tension within the community.

RELEVANT BYLAWS AND LAWS (To our knowledge):

• Town of Princeton Parks Regulation Bylaw No. 864 (2004):
  Prohibits camping, setting up shelters, or occupying parks without authorization. Also prohibits improper disposal of waste, including hazardous materials.
• Town of Princeton Nuisance Bylaw No. 867 (2004):
  Prohibits unsanitary conditions, refuse accumulation, noise disturbances, and activities that disturb the peace, comfort, or safety of others.
• Community Charter (Sections 8 & 64):
  Empowers municipalities to regulate nuisances, protect public health and safety, and impose bylaws for the maintenance of public spaces.
• Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Federal):
  While BC has a temporary exemption permitting possession of small quantities of certain illicit drugs, this does not permit open drug use in public spaces. Municipalities retain authority to restrict and prohibit drug consumption in parks, playgrounds, riversides, and other public areas.

Applicable BC Court Rulings:

Recent court decisions in British Columbia, including landmark rulings such as Victoria (City) v. Adams, have established important legal principles regarding homelessness and municipal powers:

• Municipalities are limited in their ability to prohibit overnight sheltering if no adequate shelter alternatives are available. This recognizes the rights and dignity of individuals experiencing homelessness.
• However, these rulings also affirm that municipalities retain the authority and responsibility to address encampments that are permanent, pose health or safety risks, or cause environmental damage.

Therefore, while compassionate accommodation of temporary sheltering needs is required, municipalities must act to protect public health, safety, and the environment by regulating and, where necessary, removing encampments that create significant hazards.

ALIGNMENT WITH HOMELESSNESS LAWS AND COURT DECISIONS:

This petition respects the rights of individuals experiencing homelessness as affirmed by recent British Columbia court rulings, which recognize that municipalities cannot criminalize homelessness when adequate shelter options are unavailable.

However, these rulings also confirm that municipalities have the authority and responsibility to regulate public spaces to protect public health, safety, and the environment, and to address encampments that create significant hazards or disruptions.

Our requests for bylaw enforcement, public safety, and environmental protection fully align with these legal principles. We advocate for a balanced approach that:

• Respects the dignity and rights of vulnerable individuals.
• Ensures access to proper shelter, support services, and harm reduction facilities through provincial collaboration; and
• Maintains safe, clean, and lawful public spaces for all community members.

 OUR COMMUNITY POSITION:

We are calling for a responsible and compassionate approach that safeguards public spaces, protects community health and safety, and ensures that vulnerable individuals receive the proper supports and services they deserve.

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THE TOWN OF PRINCETON:

• Enforce the provisions of Parks Regulation Bylaw No. 864 and Nuisance Bylaw No. 867, including but not limited to:
• Prohibit permanent camping/housing encampments and the unauthorized occupation of parks, riverside lands, and other public properties, in accordance with municipal authority to regulate public spaces.
• Address and remediate unsanitary conditions, accumulation of refuse, and hazardous materials, including the safe removal and disposal of discarded needles, drug paraphernalia, and related biohazards.
• Enhance monitoring, enforcement, and cleanup efforts in impacted areas, with particular focus on environmentally sensitive zones such as riverside parks and public recreational spaces.
• Implement measures to prevent environmental contamination, safeguarding the integrity of the river ecosystem, local wildlife habitats, and broader natural surroundings.
• Enforce all applicable bylaws and regulations prohibiting the use, possession, or consumption of illegal substances in public parks, riverside areas, playgrounds, and other municipal properties, consistent with provincial and federal legislation.
• Oppose and prevent the normalization or acceptance of open illegal drug use in family-oriented, recreational, and environmentally sensitive community spaces.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive, evidence-based public safety and homelessness response strategy that balances compassion for vulnerable populations with accountability and community protection. This plan should actively engage community stakeholders to devise sustainable solutions that ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of all residents.