Local residents want ‘sense of safety and security back’ following shooting along Millstone River

MacDonald said he lives in and walks in the area, but has done less of it since Christmas because he feels it’s not safe to do so.

“We had bullets flying across the highway when Clint was shot in March. Bullets flying across this roadway. It is deteriorating, and my concern is the City and the Province and so on do not seem too concerned about removing this armed camp from the neighbourhood.”

Fred MacDonald address the crowd on Tuesday morning at Pearson Park. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

MacDonald said he’s spoken to others living in the area who share his sentiment, with seniors making up a large percentage of the local population.

“They’re worried. I meet a lot of people out here walking every day and there’s less and less of our older residents getting out because on this side of the highway, or even just in this neighbourhood, they feel very very unsafe. I think that’s the prevailing sentiment, is when are we going to get our sense of safety and security back?”

The rally follows an afternoon shooting on Wednesday, June 14 which saw a man hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Two men were arrested.

In March a Nanaimo business owner, Clint Smith, was shot in the Millstone River after he tried to retrieve items allegedly stolen from his nearby business.

One of multiple encampments along the steep embankment above the Millstone River’s north side between the Pearson St. Bridge and Rosehill St. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Newcastle Community Assn. president Karen Kuwica said the deteriorating state of the Millstone River is a primary public safety concern for local residents.

She said the level of criminal activity in the vicinity must be addressed, pointing to increased violence among unstable people presenting an elevated public safety threat.

“The campers living in these areas are violent people that have weapons that we’ve seen with the shootings,” Kuwica told NanaimoNewsNOW.

She said it’s not uncommon for physical altercations between homeless people on the Millstone River embankment to spill onto busy highway traffic.

President of the Newcastle Community Association Karen Kuwica reads a speech in front of the crowd at Pearson Park. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

In addition to severe social disorder concerns impacting the safety of people’s health and property, Kuwica pointed to increased environmental damage to the Millstone River.

“A lot of the undergrowth has been so worn down by heavy traffic that it has destabilized some areas of the embankment. It’s also a protected salmon stream, it’s a very unique area.”

Nanaimo mayor Leonard Krog said the landowner of the north embankment of the lower Millstone River is the provincial ministry of transportation and infrastructure (MOTI).

He said ongoing “staff-to-staff discussions” have been had regarding the challenged piece of land.

“I would think with this second fairly significant incident of violence that you’ll probably see a firmer response from the province, I’m certainly hoping so.”

Krog said they are “certainly looking at the province to step up and look after its own property”, pointing to a previous clean-up costing the City $12,000 to have garbage and other debris carried away at high tide on a barge.

Krog said more than 30 years of failed health and social policy won’t be solved overnight.

He emphasized calls he’s made many times in the past: secure involuntary care is required for some, while others should be in jail.

“…and a whole bunch of others just need a place to live to try and get their lives together to get off the streets and keep them away from the influences of drug dealers, pimps and folks who exploit their weaknesses.”

MOTI responds

Asked specifically about its response to social disorder and environmental concerns on provincial land along the Millstone River, MOTI stated it’s currently working with the City of Nanaimo to find solutions.

MOTI stated public safety is “our top priority” and is aware of safety concerns about a small encampment at the lower Millstone River location.

“The ministry has undertaken work in recent years to support the infrastructure in the area and deter camping under the bridge.”

The MOTI statement noted the province is working across ministries and community partners to ensure people are connected to health, housing and social support.

“In Nanaimo, outreach workers frequently connect with people experiencing homelessness to see if they wish to be added to supportive housing wait lists and to share information and resources,” the MOTI statement read.

MOTI referenced supportive housing investments from the province, including a 2020 memorandum of understanding between the City of Nanaimo and BC Housing.

The MOU has so far resulted in one of four pledged purpose-built permanent housing units for the city’s homeless population.

— with files from Jordan Davidson

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by Ian Holmes

Local residents want ‘sense of safety and security back’ following shooting along Millstone River

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