'I don't see an end at this point': The struggle to shut down a violent homeless camp in Abbotsford
It’s the largest and most violent homeless camp in Abbotsford and a weekly source of complaints to police.
Years after the site first sprang up, many wonder if what’s known as the Lonzo camp will ever be shut down.
On one side of the encampment, there are burned-out RVs and decrepit trailers, like the one a woman named Laura calls home.
“It’s worn down. I have a bunch of rats running around, no running water,” she said.
The 26-year-old told CTV News she ended up living on the streets in B.C. after fleeing an abusive relationship in another province.
On the other side of the site, there are tents and makeshift shelters, mostly tucked away from public view.
The property is littered with bike parts, used needles and garbage.
“You have lots of garbage here. You have rotting food. You have different pockets of people that might not get along with each other,” explained Sgt. Paul Walker of the Abbotsford Police Department as he walked through the area.
“I don’t see an end at this point,” he said.
Police say the Lonzo encampment has been growing—and so too have its problems.
Last year, Abbotsford Fire Rescue responded to 322 calls at the camp and police responded to 106 calls for violent crime in the area.
Over the years, officers have seized weapons of all sorts, which police say were sometimes brought by unwanted guests.
“We’re having weapons such as knifes, axes, assault involving those things, firearms that are being taken out of here, both real and imitation, weapons of opportunity, bear spray,” said Walker.
Walker also said crime has been spilling into the surrounding community.
“You have people that are running their businesses, trying to provide, pay the bills…but then they’re getting victimized by people that are in this camp,” Walker said.
Police responded to close to 1,600 calls in the area in 2022.
While officers continue to tackle criminal behavior in the encampment, both police and the municipal government lack the ability to shut the camp down.
“This homeless camp here at Lonzo is on Ministry of Transportation lands. Our city bylaws don’t apply to that property,” Walker said.
For more than a week, CTV News tried to speak with Transportation Minister Rob Fleming, but were told he was unavailable.
In a statement, his ministry said it is working with other ministries “to provide outreach and to find safer, more suitable housing options and supports.”
Abbotsford’s mayor says the province is well aware of the community’s struggles.
“We’re aggressively pursuing some alternative housing options and looking at how we clean that up,” said Ross Siemens.
B.C.’s housing minister said he has visited the Lonzo encampment and ensured help is on the way.
Ravi Kahlon said 408 units of affordable housing are under development in Abbotsford, though it’s not clear when they will open.
“We know that area, especially around Lonzo, needs to be cleaned up. We’ve been working closely with mayor and council to find a solution for housing for those that need it, and working on ways to get rid of the criminal element that seems to be plaguing that area as well,” Kahlon said.
Some campers at Lonzo have previously been moved into housing, according to Kahlon, decreasing the number of people currently living in the camp.
But Laura said while she’d much rather be in housing, it hasn’t been an option.
“I’ve been on a list for three years now and I haven’t been offered housing once,” she said.
She isn’t sure what scares her most, battling a drug addiction, or living in a place like Lonzo.
“I came to the realization that it’s either you keep doing the drugs and it will kill you, or you’re going to be here and something bad’s going to happen and that will kill you,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Denial and uncertainty are looming over a Biden-Trump rematch 6 months out from U.S. Election Day
Exactly six months before Election Day, Biden and Trump are locked in the first contest in 112 years with a current and former president competing for the White House. It's a race that is at once deeply entrenched and highly in flux as many voters are only just beginning to embrace the reality of the 2024 campaign.
‘Love has no boundaries’: Sask. couple in their 90s and 80s get married
Eighty-two-year-old Susan Neufeldt and 90-year-old Ulrich Richter are no spring chickens, but their love blossomed over the weekend with their wedding at Pine View Manor just outside of Rosthern.
Israel closes Gaza crossing after Hamas attack and vows military operation 'in the very near future'
Israel closed its main crossing point for delivering badly needed humanitarian aid for Gaza on Sunday after Hamas militants attacked it, reportedly wounding several Israelis, while the defense minister warned of "a powerful operation in the very near future in Rafah and other places across all of Gaza."
opinion You don't need to be an influencer to earn income from social media
How legitimate are claims by some content creators that the average person can earn passive income from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram? Personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says it's quite possible, if you're willing to put in the initial time and effort.
What a judge's gag order on Trump means in his hush money case
A gag order bars Trump from commenting publicly on witnesses, jurors and some others connected to the matter. The New York judge already has found that Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, repeatedly violated the order, fined him US$9,000 and warning that jail could follow if he doesn't comply.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
Should you save or splurge on makeup this summer?
If you're wondering whether you should splurge or save when it comes to buying skincare products and makeup this summer, we got some answers for you.
Chemical spill could be cause of stinky water in Puslinch, Ont., new report says
People living in Puslinch, Ont. may have the answer to why their water smelled so bad last year.