Bylaw officers hired by the municipality will now be patrolling homeless encampments within Chatham-Kent.
Municipal officials say the bylaw officers will be maintaining a presence at the encampment sites to build relationships with the unhoused residents, while also deterring non-compliance with Chatham-Kent’s bylaws.
The officers will be enforcing Chatham-Kent’s encampment bylaw through structured and deliberate actions. When issues are identified, CK Housing Services, R.O.C.K., and the bylaw officers will first speak with individuals, advising them of the infraction and offering guidance and support to correct it. If they do not comply, the bylaw officers will issue a formal order with a deadline for compliance. If orders are then ignored, further action could be taken, such as “municipal remediation” of the issue or a court summons.
Bylaw officers have only recently begun their patrols and will be on duty Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The municipality noted that regular clean-ups are scheduled twice per week at encampments
