Slave Lake RCMP responds to concerns about Flat Top encampment
Over the last several years, there have been reports of homeless encampments in the Slave Lake area. There are growing concerns from the community relating to the current size of the Flat Top camp on provincial crown land, and how it may impact the surrounding community.
On Aug. 23, 2023, Slave Lake Detachment Commander, S/Sgt. Casey Bruyns, met with Alberta Conservation officers, local Alberta Health Services representatives, the local fire department, Emergency Health Services, as well as the Municipal District (MD) and the Town of Slave Lake peace officers regarding the encampment. The RCMP were advised that several different ministries within the provincial government were conducting regular meetings to discuss the matter and that an actionable response could only be made once the provincial ministers reached a decision.
Since then, Slave Lake RCMP has increased patrols within the encampment to ensure the safety of those living there, as well as checking for persons with outstanding warrants and searching for any stolen property. As of last month, in response to requests from the community, the Slave Lake RCMP has started daily patrols of the area. The patrols’ findings have not substantiated any correlation between the homeless and an increase in local crime.
The Alberta RCMP has deployed additional supports from its Community Safety and Well-being Branch to engage the surrounding community and to further develop strategies in support of law enforcement. Addressing complex social issues, such as homelessness, requires a measured and collaborative approach involving municipal and provincial governments, health services, family services, and the community. Through its work with the community, including those experiencing homelessness, the Slave Lake RCMP recognizes that additional supports are needed for long-term solutions to social issues.
Slave Lake RCMP has established a working group to address these concerns and sent invitations to M.L.A. Scott Sinclair (Lesser Slave Lake), the Town of Slave Lake, the MD of Lesser Slave River, the Alberta Sheriffs Branch, Alberta Health Services, and to local groups who provide support to the Slave Lake Region. On May 28, 2024, Slave Lake RCMP received a letter from the office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs requesting its assistance in the removal of persons from crown-owned property.
On June 4, 2024 the working group met for the first time to discuss short-term and long-term solutions to the homeless crisis in Slave Lake. Services and assistance were offered by several of the attendees in order to provide help to the homeless. It was concluded that, at the request of the Province of Alberta and the Town of Slave Lake, a joint operation between RCMP and Conservation Officers would be mandated to remove the encampment from the land owned by the province and block future access to the site.
Today, on June 12, 2024, the RCMP and the Conservation officers initiated the operations. The camp was cleared out with no incident. All of the individuals at the encampment left voluntarily. The RCMP will continue to provide enhanced patrols for the time being to ensure the continued safety of all the people of Slave Lake.
“Today, we were able to assist the individuals in the encampment to connect with the resources available to them,” said Sgt. Casey Bruyns, Detachment Commander of the Slake Lake RCMP. “The reason we were able to transition those in the encampment to the supports they needed so smoothly was because of the relationships that we have built with all the people in our community and the weeks of work that have gone into establishing a rapport with those struggling with homelessness in Slave Lake. Considering the multitude of partners that have been weighing in on the issue, it is our hope that a long-term compassionate solution, will be found and enacted.”
-Alberta RCMP
