A Tri-City homeless advocate hopes a presentation next month will give the business community better insights into what it is like for people living on the streets.
Sandy Burpee, past chair of the Tri-Cities Homelessness Task Group, which is leading the event, said he has spoken to shop owners in Port Coquitlam's downtown and knows there is tension between homeless people and businesses. He told The Tri-City News that the presentation will offer suggestions on how to approach people living on the streets and how to respond to problematic behaviours.
"We know that some businesses are impacted by a few," he said. "What we want to do is provide some insights into homelessness and make some suggestion on how to deal with impacts business owners might be experiencing."
When it comes to interacting with a homeless person, Burpee said it is important to treat them like a neighbour or any other person on the street.
If, for example, a person is panhandling in front of a store — which Burpee notes in most cases is not illegal — and the owner feels that the activity is detrimental to their business, he said that a polite conversation can sometimes resolve the issue.
"Greet them with a smile," he said. "Ask them how they're doing and have that conversation. If at some point once you have made a connection with that person and acknowledge they are there, if you still continue to feel they are creating a problem you can ask them to move somewhere else."
Along with Burpee, the presentation will feature Bruce Conlan, a residential mental health and addictions worker who has lived on the streets, and Const. Jen Barker, who works with the RCMP's Community Response Team.
The program will start with a discussion on understanding how and why people become homeless, followed by best practices for how to respond to problematic behaviour at a place of business. They will also discuss resources for the homeless, sharps disposal and when to call for help, followed by a dialogue session.
Burpee said he is sympathetic with the business community and understands that just because someone is struggling "does not give them a licence to impact other people."
However, he said with a few tools and a bit of understanding, business owners may be able to avoid conflicts with homeless people in their community.
"People need to recognize that these people are not the authors of their own misfortune," Burpee said, noting homeless people are often dealing with trauma and mental illness. "They have probably been dealt a tough hand… What they need is to be recognized."
• Homelessness: A Primer for Business, will be held between 6:30 and 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13, in the Michael Wright Art Gallery at the Gathering PLace (200-2253 Leigh Square Pl.) in Port Coquitlam. There is not cost to attend and refreshments and light snacks will be provided. To RSVP, email [email protected] or call 604-464-1490.
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