Spike in criminal activity near Squamish encampment raises safety concerns

After a week of police activity at a Squamish homeless encampment, frustration is boiling over.

A Squamish encampment has been the focus of several police incidents in less than a week, including a targeted attack early Tuesday morning where bear spray was deployed and a shotgun was discharged. No one was seriously injured.

Days earlier, officers seized multiple weapons as part of a drug‑trafficking investigation. Two men were arrested and later released pending charges.

The incidents prompted a community meeting in the district’s council chambers Wednesday, where public safety dominated the discussion.

Squamish resident Burt Fehr expressed frustration over what he sees happening in the neighbourhood.

“What do we live in here?” Fehr said. “Like, this is a dumping ground for criminals. I know that. I can see them every day. They’re everywhere, all night and every day.”

Another resident, Emery Goguen, said the issues are impossible to ignore.

“There’s drug addiction for sure, there’s criminality,” Goguen said.

Squamish RCMP say they have increased neighbourhood patrols in response to a rise in violent incidents and property crime over the past 18 months.

“This is something that’s new for Squamish,” said district Mayor Armand Hurford.

Hurford said he is in constant contact with police and believes most people living in the encampments are victims, not the ones driving the criminal activity.

“I am deeply concerned about the challenges of both of the general public, but then, the folks living in the encampment,” Hurford said.

The encampment sits behind Squamish’s only BC Housing building.

Lori Pyne, executive director of Squamish Helping Hands, said the community’s shelter capacity is far from meeting demand.

“We have 40 beds here and we have 16 shelter beds. It’s not enough. It’s not enough. We’re full every night,” Pyne told CTV News.

She said the most recent homeless count identified 125 people without stable housing living in encampments scattered throughout Squamish.

Pyne says she’s been pleading with the provincial government for more beds and support.

Hurford said the district has also been pushing the province to take action.

“We’ve been advocating for this for years, so as soon as possible would be a few years ago, in my mind,” said the mayor.

In a statement, the B.C. Ministry of Housing said it is working with the District of Squamish to assess 37956 Loggers Lane as a potential site for temporary housing with co-ordinated supports through the HEARTH program.

“If the site is deemed suitable, BC Housing and the district will engage the community to share information about the project, answer questions and gather feedback on how the housing can best integrate into the neighbourhood,” the ministry said. “More information, including engagement plans and project timelines, will be made public once site suitability has been determined.”