Ron Fellinger reflects on the changes in Regina’s Heritage neighborhood over the past five decades when he steps out of his family business, Fellinger & Son’s Meats. He recalls how the park used to be a bustling area for children to play soccer and baseball, contrasting it with the current state of emptiness. Pepsi Park now hosts an encampment that has grown significantly, with around 150 people staying in approximately 70 tents.
In response to previous tent encampments being dismantled by the city, Regina has shifted its focus to a more person-centered approach. The city is providing outreach support to assist individuals in finding better shelter rather than forcibly removing the encampment.
Local businesses, including Fellinger & Son’s Meats, have raised concerns about the encampment impacting their customer traffic. Despite the city’s decision to allow the encampment to remain, business owners like Fellinger believe this approach is enabling more individuals to set up similar camps in residential areas, leading to increased crime rates.
Jarrid Linder, a service manager at Downtown Automatic Transmission, reports a surge in break-ins coinciding with the growth of the encampment. The rise in criminal activities has prompted calls for action to address the safety and security issues affecting businesses in the neighborhood.
Advocates and volunteers at the encampment site emphasize the need for additional support beyond portable toilets, such as showers, storage facilities, and access to power. They stress the importance of treating individuals experiencing homelessness with dignity and respect to help improve their circumstances.
Regina city councillor Victoria Flores organized a meeting with local businesses to address concerns related to the encampment. Acknowledging the longstanding challenges of housing insecurity and poverty in the Heritage neighborhood, Flores emphasizes the importance of finding solutions that prioritize the safety and well-being of all community members.
Ultimately, advocates like Shawn Koch and city officials like Victoria Flores call for collaborative efforts from all levels of government to address the root causes of homelessness by providing adequate housing, addiction treatment, and mental health support. Encampment residents, such as Nevada Adams, express their desire for permanent housing as they navigate the difficulties of living on the streets and strive to improve their circumstances.
