The new owner of the lower portion of Centre Square Mall says to expect some changes in the near future when it comes to homelessness and loitering around the building.
"Realistically, we'll start to see some changes in two or three months," said Ed Romanowski, president of Nunastar Properties, the company that bought the lower half of the mall.
Some of those changes may involve new security measures and revised entry management protocols for the building, he suggested. As for specifics, it's too soon to say, Romanowski said. Some changes have already started, he noted, like silencing the buzzer at the mall, which was used to deter loitering.
"We will do things to reduce the loitering within the buildings themselves," said Romanowski. "The purpose of Centre Square Mall is not to be the location for the homeless during the day."
Romanowski stressed he is not in favour of kicking homeless people off the property and passing loitering-related problems on to other buildings and businesses around the area. It wouldn't make him a very good neighbour, as he put it.
As for the gate between the upper and lower malls, that's not coming down anytime soon.
"We think that is a big security issue," he said, again referring to loitering in and around the mall. "And so all we'd do is flow more people through."
Asked if building tenants have requested to have the gate open, Romanowski said the issue isn't clear-cut. Romanowski said he does not want to fill the shopping centre with police either.
Until the mall gets busier, with more businesses and, subsequently, more foot traffic, Romanowski said that gate will remain closed.
"The convenience of going through there would be an important factor, but that isn't the only consideration," said Romanowski. "We have to consider what would happen in terms of people cutting through the mall and people loitering in the mall."
Tackling these challenges will require help from other parties, including the city and , he noted.
According to the city, loitering is not prohibited by any bylaw or territorial act, either on private property or public sidewalks. Municipal bylaw officers also have no authority to remove people from private property.
Communications advisor Saxon Chung said the municipality is not considering introducing a loitering bylaw soon.
"The city continues to work with community partners and stakeholders to address broader social and public safety concerns in the downtown area, including those surrounding Centre Square Mall, through ongoing community wellness initiatives and outreach support," Chung stated.
Coun. Stacie Arden-Smith said loitering is only getting worse in the city. When it comes to removing people from private property, Arden-Smith said she'd rather that power stay in the hands of .
But media relations officer Cpl. Josh Seaward told SA国际影视传媒 there is no bylaw or territorial legislation that gives police the authority to take enforcement action against loitering in Yellowknife.
He said police officers are limited by the Criminal Code of Canada, which prohibits obstructive loitering, but does not make it a crime to simply be in a public space without a specific purpose.
SA国际影视传媒淧olice can be contacted to address criminal behaviour; however, this does not mean that arrests or charges are the most appropriate option,SA国际影视传媒� Seaward added. SA国际影视传媒淓very call for service is different and each must be assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the totality of the circumstances.SA国际影视传媒�
Seaward said homeless people and people with addictions are commonly involved in complaints like loitering, but enforcement alone is typically less effective than community-based approaches.
