2023-11-12 09:30:00
La Chaudronnée de l’Estrie believes it has resolved the problem of human excrement found on the organization’s grounds on Bowen Street South.
“It seems to have subsided,” rejoices the coordinator of the soup kitchen, François Lemieux.
“The phenomenon stopped following the closing day. We are hopeful that this will continue. We are very happy. »
On October 19, La Chaudronnée had to close for the entire day in order to clean its grounds, which were littered with human excrement, let’s remember. The situation had persisted for months, despite repeated warnings.
Fewer and fewer people are camping on the ground.
— François Lemieux
We noticed that the actions had started at the beginning of the summer. Once in a while an excrement would appear on the ground. With the onset of fall, however, the situation became more serious.
The message of October 19 was effective, believes Mr. Lemieux. “Many said to themselves that it didn’t make sense. Everyone was penalized for a few having bad behavior,” he says.
“It must be said that there are fewer and fewer people camping on the ground the colder it gets this fall. There is only one left who sleeps in his tent outside. For how much longer? It’s getting cooler and cooler. »
Heat breaks
François Lemieux predicts that the situation will further improve with the opening of heat centers in the coming weeks. La Chaudronnée will be open during the day on weekends starting November 25, he notes. People will be admitted from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“We will not serve meals, but people will be able to warm up and have access to the toilets,” he explains. We are in the process of preparing this. The staff has been hired. The service will last all winter, until approximately March 31. »
“There will also be another night heat stop at Partage Saint-François for those who do not want to go to shelters. That way, the whole week will be covered. »
Find public toilets
Mr. Lemieux believes that the scarcity of public sanitary facilities in downtown Sherbrooke does not help the phenomenon and that it is difficult for his clientele to find toilets.
“Public facilities are rare,” he notes. The parks close at 11 p.m., sometimes before. Going to restaurants or convenience stores is not always easy when you don’t buy something. »
“But I know that the City of Sherbrooke is working to find a location where homeless people might go for this type of health service in the city center. »
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