Update - (SUDBURY, ON - January 14th, 2015) - Further clarification from Ward 5 Councillor Robert Kirwan:
CLARIFICATION OF OUT OF THE COLD SHELTER POLICY
In light of the incident earlier this week where there was a disturbance at the Out of the Cold Program location in Sudbury, I asked for clarification from Gail Spencer, Co-ordinator of Shelters and Homelessness.
First of all, there is no charge to stay at the Salvation Army men's emergency shelter program.
Secondly, the Out of the Cold Program has not had to deny anyone service because the beds were full.
The Out of the Cold shelter has 30 cots available each night for clients to sleep, as well as couches and a table and chairs area for persons to enjoy a cup of soup or warm drink. The program has been well used but to date has not had to turn anyone away due to being full. It is a very transient population, so some people come in and sleep for a few hours, then leave, while others go in and out all night. The shelter reports up to 29 persons sleeping each night and another 20 - 30 persons going in and out during an evening.
If the time came that the shelter was over capacity they would make every effort to settle someone into one of the other shelter programs. As well, when it is an Extreme Cold Weather Alert, the Elgin Street Mission remains open overnight to act as a warming station. The Community outreach team has a van that transports persons from the streets to the shelter and warming stations.
There are no charges or fees to stay at the men's emergency shelter program at the Salvation Army. This program is funded through the City. There have never been any fees for persons who were eligible to stay in the emergency shelter program.
In the past, men who had been found ineligible to stay in the shelter program, used to be given the option of "pay to stay" at a rate of $25. This was discontinued over a year ago.
In 2014 over 400 men stayed at the Salvation Army men's shelter at no charge to themselves.
Recently a person told staff that he was forced to sleep outside because the new Out of the Cold site was full and he couldn't get into the Salvation Army location because he didn't have the $25. Apparently this person was panhandling in front of Chapters. The staff member assured him that the shelter program was available to him free of charge.
So any mention that there is a charge to stay at one of the shelters operated under the jurisdiction of the City of Greater Sudbury is not correct. No one would be forced to sleep outside during the winter months. There would always be a place for him/her to take shelter.
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Original Story - (SUDBURY, ON - January 12th, 2015) On the 12th of January 2015 the Greater Sudbury Police Service responded to a call for service from Out of the Cold Shelter Staff to remove unwanted persons from the shelter.
Officers were apprised of the circumstances by staff and that the involved individuals were no longer welcome there for justified reasons.
Officers acting on the authority of the Shelter, requested the unwanted persons to leave the premises as the health and safety of the staff was believed to be in jeopardy.
Most of the people were cooperative and left when asked by police. However there individuals refused which resulted in there lawful arrest.
The Greater Sudbury Police Service respects that everyone has the right to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly; however these rights need to be balanced when the safety and security of individuals is at risk.
Three persons in question are charged with Causing a Disturbance contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada as well as Failing to Leave Premises when Directed contrary to the Trespass Act.
As this matter is currently before the Courts; the Greater Sudbury Police Service cannot make any further comments on this matter at this time.