Clean up crew with ‘lived experience’ to patrol North Kamloops

A Kamloops business association is partnering with other organizations to recruit a garbage and graffiti clean-up crew.

The North Shore Business Improvement Association is spearheading a 20-week pilot project to clean up garbage, discarded syringes, feces and graffiti for businesses.

The Clean Team pilot project would recruit people with lived experience with homelessness working towards a "more secure lifestyle," according to a report to city council.

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"The team will have training in the proper handling of waste, sharps, feces and graffiti removal, and be supervised by ASK Wellness and (business association) staff," the report to council reads.

The business association is asking the City to put a $30,000 from existing homelessness grant toward the project. The business association, ASK Wellness, Canadian Mental Health Association and the City, which are all collaborating in the project, will revisit the project after 20 weeks to potentially give it a long-term approval.

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That $30,000 would come from $1.5 million grant the city received last month, which the City plans to use for Community Service Officers, security services, a shelter shuttle service and a sharps recovery project.

Wages for the patrolling clean-up crew would be paid for by ASK Wellness and Work B.C., while the City funds would help with initial start up costs. It's set to launch later this month, according to the report.

City council will decide on whether to approve the project at a meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 20.

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