Nanaimo Proposes $412K Fence Around City Hall Citing Safety Concerns Near Overdose Site

The City of Nanaimo is considering building a 1.8-metre-high wrought iron fence around city hall, citing safety risks tied to the nearby overdose prevention site (OPS) next door. A city staff report describes an increase in disorder, harassment of employees, vandalism, fires, and other safety concerns since the OPS was relocated to Albert Street beside city hall in December 2022.

The proposed $412,000 fence would exceed the area’s maximum height zoning limit by 60 centimetres, requiring a variance. It is intended to offer increased protection for municipal staff, especially those working early or late hours.

“We can’t fence off everyone’s property, but we do have a legal duty to protect our employees,” said Mayor Leonard Krog, adding that staff concerns are real and rooted in personal experiences. While acknowledging the fence’s potential symbolism of exclusion, the city says the move responds to a deteriorating situation on its grounds.

The city hall service and resource centre (SARC) shares a block with the OPS, run by the Canadian Mental Health Association and funded by Island Health. The report states groups of 20 to 30 people often gather in the area, leading to issues like theft from staff vehicles, fires, litter, and safety concerns around entrances.

City staff emphasized that the OPS serves a “highly vulnerable and marginalized population,” many of whom struggle with poverty and limited access to services. The report acknowledges the optics of fencing off a civic facility amid visible homelessness and public disorder but frames the project as necessary for operational safety.

Public safety advocates, including the Nanaimo Area Public Safety Association, support the move and say it highlights a broader crisis downtown. “It’s horrible that city staff feel unsafe coming to work,” said association vice-president Kevan Shaw, urging senior governments to act more decisively on street-level safety and addiction issues.

Krog pushed back slightly, saying the situation isn't as extreme as described but agreed more support is needed from provincial and federal governments. He noted the city has already invested in hiring 27 additional safety and RCMP officers in recent years.

Despite the cost, Krog defended the proposal. “Given the area to be covered and the level of security needed, this is not an extraordinary amount,” he said. Council is set to review the proposal and associated budget request at an upcoming committee meeting.