The clock is running out for people living at a homeless encampment along Highway 1 in B.C.’s Fraser Valley. Tuesday is the deadline for residents to leave the former Whatcom Road park and ride in Abbotsford after the province issued notices directing people to vacate the site. The encampment has been a source of tension in the community for years. More than 20 people were living there at its peak, according to Abbotsford police. About six people remain. Residents were given roughly two weeks’ notice in late September. For those still living at the camp, Monday was the final full day to sort through their belongings and figure out what they could take with them. Randy Rosteski, who has lived at the encampment for three years, said he has housing lined up. “I’m going to brighter pastures just on the other side of the mountain over there,” Rosteski said. But it remains unclear where the other remaining residents will go. The Ministry of Transportation, which is responsible for the site, was unable to answer questions Monday due to the ongoing election campaign. B.C. Housing said the same. The encampment has been the scene of repeated safety concerns, including fires and gunfire. In March, 69-year-old Wayne Versfelt was killed in a shooting at the camp. Former resident Rick Maloney, who lived at the encampment for six years, said he never felt completely safe. “You sleep with one eye open all the time,” Maloney said. “You never know when someone is going to throw a Molotov (cocktail) at your trailer.” Maloney moved out in June after getting housing. Abbotsford police told CTV News they do not want to see people evicted if they have nowhere else to go. “By no means do we want to evict those who don’t have a home. That’s not a solution,” Sgt. Paul Walker said. Walker said the responsibility for finding solutions lies with other levels of government, while police are frequently called to deal with incidents at the encampment. Police are expected to be in attendance Tuesday afternoon while the site is cleared.
