A third homeless encampment of the eight that the city of Edmonton deems high risk has been torn down and carted off to the dump on Tuesday.
Workers dismantled ten structures at the encamapment in Dawson Park, near Jasper Avenue and 92 Street along the ravine.
“Due to the challenging terrain surrounding the encampment, a significant amount of debris remains at the site,” the city wrote in a media release.
Crews removed an estimated 2.8 tonnes of waste, over 14 truckloads, which included 13 propane tanks, 12 shopping carts, and 100 needles.
The news release details that seven people lived there, and that one person required medical assistance.
The Edmonton Journal reports that two people suddenly died at this encampment over the holidays, in non-suspicious manners.
“With the continued dry conditions in Edmonton, the risks of injury and death due to fire remain extremely high. In 2023, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responded to 135 fires in encampments resulting in 22 injuries and three fatalities,” the news release said.
The city says it will continue dismantling the sites under stipulations of a December court order, which is in effect until January 11, and instructs Edmonton to give displaced residents 48-hour notice, consider the weather, and make sure shelter space is available.
Meanwhile a fourth encampment is being removed from the area of 105 Avenue and 96 Street today, and Edmonton Police Service is on site to provide city work crews with backup, should they require it, an EPS spokesperson wrote in an email sent to media.
Below: A photo of debris left at a homeless encampment posted to Flicker by Eco Bear Biohazard Cleaning Company.
