Moving out of Meagher Park

Under an eviction notice, three residents vacated encampment in Halifax Aug. 8

It could be the last days of the homeless encampment at Meagher Park (a.k.a. People’s Park) in Halifax.

Nathan Thorburne, 31, who has been living there with his girlfriend and a friend, said Halifax Regional Police officers told him to leave the morning of Aug. 8.

He said police officers told him that they were “suiting up” and that Truro and Cape Breton police were involved, as well.

Officers told Thorburne “they were coming at this park and they were coming with all they got,” he said.

Residents at Meagher Park were given eviction notices on July 5 with a transition deadline of July 17, after which the park will be rehabilitated. The municipality officially requested police intervention Aug. 3.

Three of the park residents left the site in a friend’s van at around 11:30 a.m. Thorburne said he left because he didn’t want a confrontation with police.

The Chronicle Herald asked Halifax Regional Police to confirm officers told residents to leave due to an imminent police operation and received this response:

“We have an obligation to public safety for all involved and are committed to every effort towards a peaceful eventual exit. We continue to work with HRM and others as needed. For ongoing efforts to provide alternative options to individuals who are unhoused you may wish to speak directly with the city,” wrote Const. John Macleod in an email.

“I can also tell you that this morning at approximately 7:30 a.m. officers were in the area of Meagher Park on Chebucto Road where they arrested a man in relation to an ongoing domestic assault investigation.”

At a special Halifax regional council meeting last week, Max Chauvin, HRM special projects manager, went over the deteriorating health and safety issues at the park, as well as the many complaints from neighbours in the area.

He also told council that there was an initial agreement from residents in the park to leave but that the tide turned after certain advocacy groups came along, particularly the Nova Scotians United political party and the Freedom Convoy. He said these groups have said “they will defend the park aggressively and if HRM decides to clear the park, they will resist,” Chauvin said.

However, the park was very quiet as the three residents left. There were police cars parked in the area and there were park volunteers and representatives from Dalhousie Legal Aid and others, but no protesters.

“It’s a sin that we all had to leave and they’re picking on the homeless.” Nathan Thorburne

TAKE IT EASY

Thorburne, walking back and forth to load his belongings into the van, at one point waved and said, “Take it easy!” to neighbour Constantine Fotis, who was sitting on his porch.

Fotis said he feels sorry for the park residents and that some are good and some are troublemakers. He said it’s better that they find another place to go.

But this might not be the end of the encampment. The population at the park has always fluctuated. Thorburne, his girlfriend and friend are some of the last residents, but there are a least a few more people who work during the day and stay there overnight. There are also several regular visitors to the park and some occasionally stay.

Thorburne said the night of Aug. 6 a police officer offered him food from Mcdonald's, cigarettes and “whatever” to move. He was driven to a designated park site, he said, where police gave him the promised items, as well as a new tent, air mattress and blankets.

The Chronicle Herald asked HRP to confirm this but was not given a response.

Thorburne and the others are moving to that designated park site, one of four HRM previously selected for overnight camping with toilets, water, needle boxes and other amenities.

He said he feels bad for the others who are living at Meagher Park and urges them to join him, saying there will be food there and “no drama.”

“It’s a sin that we all had to leave, and they’re picking on the homeless,” he said.

“And it’s, like, how about we come to the cops’ houses and evict their asses? You know what I mean? And they’re like, ‘We wouldn’t like that.’ Well, you guys are evicting us from our house. This is where we live, this is what we know.”

Even though his tent has been slashed, he was jumped a few nights ago and threats were made, Thorburne said he felt safe in the park.

“I feel like now I’ve got to watch my back more on the street because I’ve got a lot of problems on the street, but that’s the street.”

He said he’s been homeless for three years and he loves it because he enjoys freedom from the rules of living in an apartment.

An interview request with HRM staff was denied Aug. 8.