A critic of a reporting tool on the City of Cambridge's website says the service that allows residents to anonymously report an encampment is a "harmful" and punitive approach to dealing with the city's homeless population.
Earlier this week, Cambridge Mayor Kathryn McGarry tweeted back and forth with Jessica Hutchison, a local PhD candidate in social work, about why the tool was created in the first place.
Why is this tool anonymous?
— Jessica Hutchison (@Jessichutchison) May 31, 2022
This type of process encourages people to surveil those without housing, who are already under incredible surveillance.
This is a carceral approach under the guise of support and is very harmful. https://t.co/RVFBgWryGO
"Residents can request all sorts of services through our website. The reporting function for encampments is in no way intended to initiate evictions," read a statement on behalf of the City of Cambridge, when asked for an interview.
"This initiative is in place to notify City staff that there are people living in a space like an encampment so that we can ensure we are providing connections and support through our outreach partners.
"Otherwise, staff would have no way of knowing where there are people living across the City, hindering our ability to provide necessary services."
But during an interview with Waterloo Region Police Constable Mike D’Aoust, he told CambridgeToday that during his bike patrol days in Cambridge he would map out homeless encampments.
“When I was working in Cambridge, my goal was to map out where campsites were, if we were getting a rush from calls in break and enters, at least this way we knew who was living in what tent so if we ever obtained videos we could maybe put a face to the name.”
👇 This tool, not snitch or complaint line, exists so our team can work to help connect those living in encampments w/ resources & supports. Is it perfect? No. The ultimate goal is always, always connection & support. It’s about the safety of those living in encampments. https://t.co/ebzohenNjo
— Kathryn McGarry (@Kathryn_McGarry) May 31, 2022
Hutchison replied, suggesting support workers do not have access to the reporting tool.
My understanding of the @cityofcambridge homeless encampment complaint app is that support workers do not have the app.
— Jessica Hutchison (@Jessichutchison) May 31, 2022
Bylaw/police use the information from the app to gather live updates on people's locations.
It is also used to justify contacting private property owners...1/ https://t.co/nervtAtJwV
The city acknowledged that homelessness has become a complex issue in the region, getting worse during the pandemic.
"When alerted of a new encampment through our website, our staff will visit to provide a variety of services including:
- street and sidewalk cleaning litter and debris removal ( including needle debris)
- graffiti removal
- weed removal
- requesting voluntary compliance with City ordinances
- reporting public disturbances to Regional Police
- connecting vulnerable people with social services when needed
- acting as a resource for general information on City operations.
"Our ambassador team and bylaw officers have formed relationships with the folks who are living in encampments. They truly care about their safety and well being and approach each situation with support and compassion."
The city said they are looking to the Region of Waterloo to lead the housing and homelessness strategy.
