Police in Slave Lake, Alberta, recently dismantled a homeless encampment known as “Flat Top” due to safety concerns from residents over the past few years. The Slake Lake RCMP confirmed that all individuals at the encampment voluntarily left, with the smooth transition attributed to the RCMP building relationships with the homeless population. Enhanced patrols will continue to ensure the safety of all residents in Slave Lake. The town councillors suspended homeless shelter operations until November 1 due to a growing crime rate, which some residents believed was linked to the shelter and the Flat Top encampment.
During a meeting in May, Deputy Mayor Shawn Gramlich urged the RCMP to tear down Flat Top, but at the time, they couldn’t do so without orders from the province. However, residents were encouraged to report any issues to the police. A meeting on August 23 involving conservation officers, health officials, and other stakeholders discussed the encampment, with actionable responses promised once ministers reached a decision. Increased patrols in the area did not show a correlation between the homeless population and an increase in local crime. The Mounties established a working group to discuss short- and long-term solutions to the homeless crisis, ultimately deciding to remove the encampment and block future access to the site.
Staff Sgt. Casey Bruyns emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to address complex social issues like homelessness. Additional supports are required for long-term solutions to these issues, and a compassionate solution is hoped for with input from various partners. The residents of Flat Top were brought to the Slave Lake Native Friendship Centre, where volunteers from WJS Slave Lake would assist them in obtaining proper identification and connecting them with addiction and treatment supports. The town also provided shelter for animals and temporary storage for personal belongings during the cleanup process. The provincial government will be responsible for cleaning up and reclaiming the site in the coming weeks, with two more encampments identified for dismantling.
Mayor Francesca Ward stated that two additional encampments near the town’s weigh scales and the former Flat Top site have been ordered to vacate and will be dismantled by the Government of Alberta. The level of social disorder and criminal activity in the community is no longer tolerable, posing a significant risk to public safety for all residents. The town is working with social services organizations to ensure that homeless individuals are provided with the necessary support and resources to address their needs. A long-term compassionate solution is being sought through collaboration between various stakeholders and government agencies to address the homeless crisis and ensure the safety and well-being of all residents in Slave Lake.
